The expert answered the question about the dangers of exercising before bedtime

Kin M. Yuen, Associate Professor of Sleep Medicine at the University of California, answered a question about the dangers of exercising before bed. Her words leads Shape.

Yuen said that there is no definitive answer to the question of whether it is harmful to exercise late at night. She added, however, that studies have shown that regular exercise helps reduce the time it takes to reach REM sleep. “When working with clinical patients suffering from insomnia, we usually recommend moderate exercise such as restorative yoga and tai chi,” the expert said.

At the same time, Yuen drew attention to the fact that during exercise the sympathetic nervous system is activated, the heart rate increases and the muscles of the respiratory tract relax, which improves the delivery of oxygen to the tissues. “At the same time, body temperature quickly rises, which usually does not contribute to a good night’s rest,” she added.

The specialist emphasized that the training in the evening should be low-intensity, it should be completed at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Yuen also noted that you should not try new types of physical activity in the evening, since the need for intense muscle recovery after a hard workout can lead to sleep disturbances.

Earlier, Professor of the Department of Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine of the Russian State Medical University Olga Laisheva said that 25 percent of each workout should be a hitch. She recommended finishing the session with a light cardio load and stretching.