Exercise Not the Solution for Insomniacs, Study Says

New evidence is suggesting that insomniacs, who hope to get a good night sleep by jogging, might not actually get those benefits.

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine found it takes 16 weeks for the full benefits to kick-in. The study looked at the sleep and exercise patterns of a group women with an average age of 61 years-old.

"If you have insomnia you won't exercise yourself into sleep right away," lead study author Kelly Glazer Baron, a clinical psychologist and director of the behavioral sleep program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, said in a press release. "It's a long-term relationship. You have to keep at it and not get discouraged."

Studies have long suggested that aerobic exercise can contribute to better sleep habits. But much of that research on the daily effects of exercise on sleep was conducted on healthy sleepers. However, this new study looked at the long-term effects of exercise in people already suffering some sleep disorders.

Despite the lag time, researchers say exercise is still the best solution for people suffering from insomnia.  

"Patients with insomnia have a heightened level of brain activity and it takes time to re-establish a more normal level that can facilitate sleep," co-researcher Dr. Phyllis Zee said in a statement. "Rather than medications, which can induce sleep quickly, exercise may be a healthier way to improve sleep because it could address the underlying problem."

The researchers discovered that only after months of persistent exercise - the women typically walked on a treadmill several times a week - did the patients begin to experience more restful nights. Over time, the women began sleeping about 45 minutes more a night on average.

"The effects were huge when they stuck with it," Baron said.