336. People in better shape are less likely to need sleeping pills
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
A large percentage of adults struggle with sleep, but for many, sleep becomes so much of an issue that they use sleeping pills. A new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings suggests that those people in better shape are less likely to need them. Norwegian researchers collected data from roughly 240,000 people. The researchers found that over the 12 years of the study, 17 percent of the participants developed sleep issues that caused them to get a prescription for a sleep medication from their doctors. They found that the adults in the best physical shape used fewer sleep medications. The researchers claim the data suggests that being physically fit can also help you sleep better.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
