Exercise interventions to improve sleep quality in university students: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Abstract
Background and objective: Poor sleep quality is common among university students and is associated with adverse academic, psychological, and cardiometabolic outcomes. Exercise may provide a scalable, low-cost, non-pharmacological approach to improving sleep. Although previous reviews have examined physical activity and sleep in university students, evidence specifically derived from randomized controlled trials of structured exercise interventions using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) has not been adequately synthesized. This systematic review and meta-analysis therefore evaluated the effects of structured exercise interventions on the PSQI global score and PSQI-derived component scores in university students.
Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses from inception to April 30, 2026. Randomized controlled trials comparing structured exercise interventions with non-exercise controls in university students and reporting PSQI-based outcomes were eligible. The primary outcome was the PSQI global score. Secondary outcomes were the PSQI component scores for sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, and sleep disturbances. Mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using DerSimonian-Laird random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 and τ2. Robustness was examined using leave-one-out analyses, change-from-baseline analyses, prediction…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 701 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Evaluating the Evidence Base of Melatonin, Light Exposure, Exercise, and Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Patients with Insomnia Disorder
- Use of Melatonin and/on Ramelteon for the Treatment of Insomnia in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Influence of evening light exposure on polysomnographically assessed night-time sleep: A systematic review with meta-analysis
- Use of melatonin in children and adolescents with idiopathic chronic insomnia: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and clinical recommendation
- Significant potential of melatonin therapy in Parkinson’s disease – a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Meta-Analysis: Melatonin for the Treatment of Primary Sleep Disorders
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.