Leisure-time physical activity predicts complaints of snoring in women: A prospective cohort study over 10 years

Background: The impact of physical activity on sleep-disordered breathing frequency is unknown. Objective: To assess the impact of physical activity on snoring incidence and remission in women. Methods: A population-based sample of 4,851 women aged > 20 years responded to questionnaires in year 2000 and 2010. Based on the responses, the women were categorised into low, medium or high level of physical activity at baseline and at the follow-up. Results: The prevalence of self-reported habitual snoring increased from 7.6% at baseline to 9.2% in 2010 (p < 0.0001). After adjusting for age, BMI, waist and neck circumference, weight gain, smoking, alcohol dependence and snoring status at baseline, physical activity level at baseline had a protective effect on habitual snoring at follow-up. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) for habitual snoring was 0.7 (0.5 to 0.9) for the medium physical activity level and 0.5 (0.4 to 0.8) for the high activity level. When subdividing the population by changes in physical activity level over the follow-up period, an increase in physical activity was followed by a decrease in the risk of being a habitual snorer. Similarly, a high level of physical activity only had a protective effect on snoring in subjects who remained at a high or medium level. Conclusions: A low level of physical activity is a risk factor for future habitual snoring in women, independent of weight, weight gain, alcohol dependence and smoking. Increased physical activity can modify the risk.