Sleep quality components exhibit a unique association with muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in university staff

This study assessed subjective sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and explored its associations with health-related physical fitness and socioeconomic status among the university personnel. Sleep quality, anthropometric, and physical fitness parameters were measured in 167 personnel of the University of Isfahan. Participants consisted of the faculty members and staff were classified as good or poor sleepers based on PSQI score. Group differences were analyzed using independent t-tests, with correlations and linear regression to assess associations between sleep and fitness variables.Poor sleep quality was observed in 40.1% of participants. sleep disturbances were significantly more common among staff, than the faculty members (80% vs. 19.4%). Greater daily physical activity was associated with better sleep. Total sleep quality correlated significantly with body fat percentage, resting heart rate, handgrip strength, trunk strength, push-ups, VO _₂max and socioeconomic status. More specifically, sleep latency and duration onset is more closely related to muscular strength, while greater sleep disturbances are more strongly associated with cardiovascular health indicators.