ABACUS Repository
Institutional repository of the Universidad Europea where the scientific production of its research community is collected. The purpose of the repository is to provide access and visibility to this work by gathering, preserving and disseminating this production.
Recent Submissions
Bidirectional effects of physical activity and sleep on health: evidence and future directions
(2026) Clemente Suárez, Vicente Javier; Redondo Flórez, Laura; Beltrán Velasco, Ana Isabel; Ramos Campo, Domingo Jesús; Ruisoto Palomera, Pablo; Yáñez Sepúlveda, Rodrigo; Martín Rodríguez, Alexandra; Tornero Aguilera, José Francisco
Sleep and physical activity are two important lifestyle factors that significantly influence overall health and wellbeing. This comprehensive review aims to provide a detailed understanding of the interplay between sleep and physical activity habits.
A narrative review was conducted through a comprehensive assessment of primary and secondary sources, incorporating scientific publications from databases such as MedLine, Cochrane, Embase, PsychINFO, and Cinahl. The inclusion criteria focused on studies published between 2000 and 2025, addressing topics such as physical activity, sleep quality, sleep disorders, energy balance, and related health outcomes. Exclusion criteria included gray literature, unpublished studies, books, conference proceedings, and dissertations.
The results highlight the complex bidirectional relationship between sleep and physical activity. Regular physical activity improves sleep quality and duration, while adequate sleep enhances physical activity performance and recovery. Sleep disorders negatively affect physical activity engagement, but interventions involving exercise demonstrate significant potential in mitigating these effects.
In conclusion, understanding the multifaceted interactions among sleep, physical activity, and nutrition is crucial for promoting overall health and wellbeing. Future research should leverage advancements in wearable technology, personalized interventions, and precision medicine approaches to optimize these interrelated behaviors and their health impacts.
Autonomic and psychophysiological effects of a 13-week mindfulness-based intervention in university students
(2026) Benítez Agudelo, Juan Camilo; Navarro Jiménez, Eduardo; Clemente Suárez, Vicente Javier
Academic stress represents a multifactorial psychophysiological phenomenon that can disrupt emotional well-being and autonomic balance in university students. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have shown promise in enhancing emotional regulation and physiological balance. This study aimed to evaluate the autonomic and psychophysiological effects of a 13-week mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) in university students. Methods: A quasi-experimental longitudinal study was conducted with 93 Colombian university students (86% female; mean age = 18.8 ± 2.35 years). Participants were assigned to an intervention group (n = 31) or a control group (n = 62). The intervention consisted of weekly 60-min mindfulness sessions over 13 weeks. Psychological (stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, personality traits, psychological flexibility), behavioral (sleep, physical activity), and autonomic (heart rate and heart rate variability) measures were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA adjusted for baseline values and relevant covariates (sex, age, sleep), Wilcoxon tests for within-group changes, and effect sizes estimated with Cliff’s delta (δ) and rankbiserial correlations (rb). False discovery rate (FDR) correction was applied to control for multiple testing.
After adjusting for covariates, no between-group effects remained significant after FDR correction, although small beneficial trends were observed in conscientiousness and HRV indices. Within-group analyses showed that participants in the intervention group exhibited significant increases in conscientiousness (p = 0.039, rb = 0.46), psychological flexibility (p < 0.01, rb = −0.51), and reduced loneliness (p = 0.006, rb = −0.53). Anxiety and depressive symptoms remained stable in this group but increased in controls, indicating a potential protective effect. No significant changes were observed in perceived stress, sleep, physical activity, or academic performance.
The 13-week mindfulness intervention yielded selective improvements in emotional and autonomic regulation but limited effects on broader psychological and academic outcomes. These findings support a psychobiological model linking mindfulness to enhanced self-regulation and adaptive autonomic modulation. Mindfulness programs may benefit emotional resilience in university settings, though complementary strategies are recommended to enhance broader effects
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