Getting the balance right between sleep and exercise could play a crucial role in protecting against illness and early death, scientists say. Participants used consumer sleep trackers and fitness devices, allowing researchers to monitor sleep duration and daily step count. Even those who slept for seven hours took around 237 more steps than eight-hour sleepers. Meanwhile, 16.5 per cent averaged less than seven hours of sleep and fewer than 5,000 steps, a level associated with sedentary behaviour. The researchers also found that sleep influenced activity more than activity influenced sleep, suggesting poor sleep may be a major barrier to staying active.

Source: Daily Mail December 29, 2025 17:01 UTC