Decreased sleep duration and quality is associated with an increase in body weight and adiposity. Insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome are three of the most prevalent types of sleep disorder that lead to an increased risk for numerous chronic health conditions. Various studies have examined the impact of these sleep disorders on obesity, and are an important link in understanding the relationship between sleep disorders and chronic disease. Physical activity and exercise are important prognostic tools in obesity and chronic disease, and numerous studies have explored the relationship between obesity, sleep disorders, and exercise. As such, this review will examine the relationship between sleep disorders and obesity. In addition, how sleep disorders may impact the exercise response and how exercise may impact patient outcomes with regard to sleep disorders will also be reviewed.

This article reviews psychosocial influences on women's participation in physical activity as they differ from men and how associated activity differences impact women's risk for a number of chronic diseases. This topic directly aligns with the mission of this special edition related to disparities in women's health as the typically lower level of physical activity in females directly impacts their health. On average, females participate in physical activity at lower rates than their male counterparts. These lower rates of physical activity are directly related to both incidence of and outcomes from cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast and gynecological cancers. The relationship between psychosocial factors that are understood to affect physical activity differs between men and women. Specifically, self-efficacy, social support, and motivation are empirically substantiated factors that found to impact physical activity participation among women differently than men. Understanding these relationships is integral to designing effective interventions to target physical activity participation in women so that the related health risks are adequately addressed.

This study examined the effects of a 12 week, treadmill-based, run sprint interval training (SIT) protocol compared with that of a moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) protocol in healthy, inactive, overweight/obese women, on cardiovascular disease risk factors. After random assignment, the SIT group completed 4–10 × 30 s maximal sprints, with a 4 min active recovery between sprints, and the MICT group completed 30–60 min at moderate intensity (45–55% heart rate reserve (HRR)). The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded for each session, and perceived enjoyment was quantified every 3 weeks. Clinical and fitness testing were completed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Twelve female participants (age: 34.1 ± 6.1; body mass index (BMI): 31.3 ± 6.8; VO_2peak: 27.0 ± 6.2) completed the intervention. There were significant main effects for time for VO_2peak ( p = 0.001), body fat percentage ( p = 0.001), and session RPE ( p = 0.006). VO_2peak improved 20.7% in the SIT group ( n = 5) and 24.4% in the MICT group ( n = 7). Body fat percentage reduced by 1.7% in the SIT group and 2.6% in the MICT group. Perceived enjoyment was similarly high between the groups despite higher session RPE in the SIT group ( p = 0.441). SIT training on a motor-driven treadmill elicits similar improvements in oxygen utilization and body composition as moderate-intensity training in this population.

Despite the well-documented benefits of physical activity (PA) participation, over half of women do not meet PA guidelines, with greater disparities seen among rural populations. Interventions that include behavioral and cognitive strategies for promoting behavior change are important to improve health outcomes among women. This study aimed to determine whether a book club (i.e., Fit Minded) could improve PA participation, clinical markers of health, and psychosocial measures related to PA and self-perception in adult rural women. Women participated in a 12-wk book club that incorporated reading and discussions related to physical activity and self-worth. PA participation using Fitbits; clinical outcomes (e.g., weight and blood pressure); psychosocial measures related to PA and self-perception, including perceived exercise benefits and barriers, outcome expectations to exercise, PA goal setting, planning, and scheduling; physical self-worth; and global self-worth, were measured at pre- and postintervention (12 wk) in adult rural women. Thirty-two women (age, 48.09 ± 8.96 yr) completed at least 10/12 sessions and all pre- and postintervention measures. Steps per day did not increase from baseline to week 12; however, participants had significant reductions in weight (P = 0.022), body mass index (P = 0.022), and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.047). Participants had significant improvements in several psychosocial measures related to PA participation and self-worth (perceived exercise benefits and barriers, PA goal setting, PA planning and scheduling, all subscales of physical self-worth, and global self-worth; P values < 0.001–0.032), but not outcome expectations related to exercise. Results demonstrate that Fit Minded, with no face-to-face PA component, can improve psychosocial factors related to PA participation and physical self-worth, along with modest improvements in clinical markers of health in rural women. Although objectively assessed PA did not increase, there is evidence of improved health behaviors, which may translate to greater effects over time.