Correlation of Cognition and Sleep Quality in Physically Active and Non-Active Collegiate Smokers

Mohammad  Sadiq; Shaima  Saifi; Ifra Aman; Aatika  Khan; Kalpana  Zutshi

Mohammad Sadiq Student, Department of Physiotherapy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
Shaima Saifi Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
Ifra Aman Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
Aatika Khan Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
Kalpana Zutshi Associate Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India

Keywords: Smoking, Sleep Quality, Physical Activity, Cognition, MMSE, Cognitive Decline

Abstract

Background: Sleep plays an important role in the proper functioning of the body systems, including cognitive functioning. Cigarette smoking is one of the disturbing factors of sleep and efficiency, while physical activity is known to improve both sleep and mental performance. This study aims to examine the correlation between cognition and sleep quality among physically active and non-active collegiate smokers to determine whether physical activity.

Primary Study Objective: This study aims to explore how smoking and physical activity influence cognition and sleep quality in college students. By comparing physically active and non-active smokers, it seeks to uncover whether exercise can help counteract the negative effects of smoking on mental performance and sleep patterns.

Method: The total participants were 32 collegiates of Delhi NCR. It was a correlational study with convenient sampling. The duration of the study was 6 months, with the primary outcome measures as MMSE, Physical activity and inactivity, and sleep quality.

Results: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), showed a slight edge for the physically active group, which had a mean score of 27.32 (SD equal to 1.62), compared to 26.19 (SD equal to 2.11) for the non-active group. Physical activity scores (IPAQ) were, as expected, significantly higher in the physically active group. Participants in this group reported an average of 4284.25 MET-minutes per week (SD = 869.93), compared to only 1702.68 METminutes per week (SD equal to 592.59) in the non-active group. Sleep quality, assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), showed no significant difference in the overall sleep quality score between the two groups (p equal to 0.459).

Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that physically active smokers exhibited significantly higher physical activity levels and better sleep efficiency compared to non-active smokers. Although no significant differences were observed in overall sleep quality, cognitive function, or cigarette consumption between the groups, a positive association was found between physical activity and cognitive performance among physically active smokers. These findings suggest that regular physical activity may play a beneficial role in improving sleep-related outcomes and supporting cognitive health among young smokers. Promoting an active lifestyle may therefore represent a practical and accessible strategy to enhance health and well-being in this population. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these findings and explore the long-term effects of physical activity on smoking-related health outcomes.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2581.5822.202607

How to cite this article:
Sadiq M, Saifi S, Aman I, Khan A, Zutshi K. Correlation of Cognition and Sleep Quality in Physically Active and Non-Active Collegiate Smokers. J Adv Res Psychol Psychother. 2026; 9(3&4): 1-6.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking and Tobacco Use. 2021.

Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/index.htm

World Health Organization. Tobacco and its Environmental Impact. Geneva: WHO; 2022.

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241512497

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