Reduced-Exertion High-Intensity Interval Training as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Insomnia

Sleep deprivation, and decline in cardiorespiratory fitness are among many of the mortality risks found among different sleep and cardiorespiratory conditions. Control of these mortality risks may not only improve the condition-but in some times- may reverse the underlying disorder. Also, sleep deprivation can lead to a spectrum of negative clinical consequences including suicidal attempts (1). Additionally, data from the prospective population studies are consistent in showing that both short and long duration of sleep are predictors of mortality. There are bidirectional interactions between sleep and exercise, both affect each other through multiple physiological and psychological pathways, having further a role on mortality (2, 3).

Insomnia in general has two main subcategories: primary and secondary types (1, 2). Table 1 summarizes the main differences between them.