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Poor sleep quality is associated with increased fall risk in older adults

In a cross-sectional study of 67 older adults, fall occurrence was associated with poorer sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (ρ = 0.243; p = 0.047). Participants in a community-based physical activity program (G60UP) had better sleep quality (lower PSQI scores) and reported fewer falls (0.26 ± 0.51 vs. 0.78 ± 0.83; p = 0.005) compared to sedentary older adults.

Last updated: Jul 30, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Physical Activity and Healthy Aging: Functional, Cognitive, and Sleep Predictors Associated with Fall Risk in Older Adults.

observational

Tavares MS, de Menezes SLS, Monteiro W, Rodrigues CT, Joppert D, Gonçalves TR, D'Avila JDCP, de Moura PH, da Silva Junior JF, Moreno AM · International journal of environmental research and public health (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A (cross-sectional)
Intervention: Community-based physical activity program (Niterói 60 Up program) vs. sedentary comparison group
Outcome: Fall occurrence, sleep quality (PSQI score)
Effect Size: ρ = 0.243 (correlation between poor sleep quality and fall occurrence)
Population: Older adults (mean age 68-70 years) in Brazil, including 35 enrolled in a physical activity program and 32 sedentary

Result:

PubMed: 42512182DOI: 10.3390/ijerph23070878

Mechanism Graph

Poor sleep quality may impair balance and postural control
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Sleep disturbances can lead to daytime fatigue and reduced attention
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Fatigue and attention deficits increase the likelihood of falls
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Result: Higher fall risk in older adults with poor sleep quality

Limitations

  • ⚠Cross-sectional design prevents establishing causality between sleep quality and falls
  • ⚠Small sample size (n=67) limits generalizability and statistical power for multivariable analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)?▼

The PSQI is a self-reported questionnaire that assesses sleep quality over a one-month period, covering domains such as sleep duration, latency, disturbances, and daytime dysfunction.

Does physical activity improve sleep quality in older adults?▼

This study found that older adults in the physical activity program had better sleep quality (lower PSQI scores) compared to sedentary peers, suggesting a potential benefit, but the cross-sectional design cannot confirm causation.

How strong is the link between sleep quality and falls?▼

The correlation was weak to moderate (ρ = 0.243, p = 0.047), indicating a statistically significant but modest association between poorer sleep quality and more falls.

What other factors were associated with falls in this study?▼

Falls were also associated with lower mobility scores (Tinetti), longer Timed Up and Go times, older age, and higher abdominal adiposity (Conicity Index).

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References

  1. 1.Tavares MS, de Menezes SLS, Monteiro W, Rodrigues CT, Joppert D, Gonçalves TR, D'Avila JDCP, de Moura PH, da Silva Junior JF, Moreno AM. "Physical Activity and Healthy Aging: Functional, Cognitive, and Sleep Predictors Associated with Fall Risk in Older Adults.." International journal of environmental research and public health, 2026. PMID: 42512182 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph23070878
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.