The effects of dietary factors and exercise on sleep ($8,100)
A grant was made to the School of Human Life Sciences for Dr Andrew Davies, a Lecturer in Human Life Sciences at the University of Tasmania, to undertake studies in the area of sleep. Sleep is essential for quality of life and in recent years problems with sleep have been identified as significant public health concerns because of their association with motor accidents, obstruction to breathing and possibly with heart disease.
The effect of meals and diet on sleep quality has often been the subject of speculation and anecdote. However, little research has been done on the actual effects of different dietary regiments on sleep and there is currently no information on the effects of different types of exercise training regiments (such as resistance or flexibility programs) on the quality of sleep in older people.
Actigraphy is a technique whereby a sophisticated movement sensor can record a subjects activity over several days. The grant is principally for purchase of actigraph monitors to investigate the effects of diets and exercise on sleep. The monitors would then be available for use in further studies.
Tasmania's Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust was established in 1991.