Abstract
[Purpose] Insomnia is quite common and it can affect the quality of life of an
individual. Students undergo stress due to various academic demands leading to
sleeplessness and daytime sleepiness. This study was conducted to investigate the
association between physical activity and insomnia among female Saudi students. [Subjects]
62 female students with a mean age of 21 ± 1.5 years took part in a motivational program
to increase the number of steps taken per day for three weeks. [Methods] After obtaining
subject’s informed consent all the subjects were assessed for insomnia using the insomnia
severity index (ISI), They were then given pedometers to calculate the number of steps
they took per day. A physical activity log was kept for three weeks. Pre- and post
-intervention ISI scores were calculated and correlated with the 3-week physical activity
log. [Results] 50% of the subjects had no clinically significant insomnia (NCSI), 42% had
sub threshold (STI), and 8% had moderate clinical (MCI) insomnia. There was a moderate
negative correlation between physical activity and ISI scores after the 3-week motivation
program. [Conclusion] Prevalence of insomnia was common among female Saudi students and
increase in physical activity appears to improve the sleep pattern.