Relationship between physical activity, sleep quality and cardiometabolic indicators in nurses: a cross-sectional study

Objective This study aims to explore the associations between physical activity, sleep quality and cardiovascular metabolism indicators among nurses of a top-tier Grade III Class A Chinese hospital. Methods Conducting convenience sampling method to recruit nurses(N = 508) who underwent physical examination in a Class Ⅲ Grade A hospital in Wuhan from April 2023 to May 2023 as the research objects. The general information questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Version (IPAQ-L), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and cardiovascular metabolism indicators questionnaire were used in the survey. The data obtained were analyzed by SAS9.4 software. Statistical methods included descriptive analysis, comparison between groups, Spearman correlation analysis and robust linear regression analysis. Results The interaction terms between sleep quality (> 5, ≤ 5) and metabolic equivalent of leisure-time physical activity were statistically significant in TG, HDL and WHR (P <0.05), indicating that sleep quality played a moderating role in the effect of metabolic equivalent of leisure-time physical activity on TG, HDL and WHR. Conclusions The total amount of physical activities performed by nurses in a Grade III Class A Chinese hospital is relatively high, and the majority are Occupational physical activities. Our research indicates that sleep quality moderates the effect of leisure-time physical activity on these cardiovascular metabolism indicators. Clinical practice and public health strategies should pay special attention to lifestyle interventions in nurses with poor sleep quality, especially increasing their leisure-time physical activity, to prevent and manage cardiovascular disease risk more effectively. Future studies should aim to clarify the complex interrelationships between sleep and cardiovascular metabolism indicators.