Sleep, movement, and marks: exploring the relationship between sleep quality, physical activity, and academic performance in male university students

Background Sleep quality and physical activity (PA) are modifiable behaviors that may influence the cognitive functioning and academic performance of university students. However, evidence focusing specifically on male students in Middle Eastern settings remains limited. Objective To examine the associations between sleep quality, PA, and academic performance among male university students. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 130 male undergraduates from Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Arabic Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Arabic International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). Academic performance was assessed via self-reported cumulative grade point average (GPA; 5-point scale). Sleep quality was classified as good (PSQI ≤ 5) or poor (PSQI > 5), and PA was categorized as low, moderate, or high according to IPAQ scoring guidelines. Group differences in GPA were examined via one-way ANOVA and independent-samples t tests. Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression were used to explore independent associations between sleep, PA, and GPA, adjusting for age and BMI. Results The participants had a mean age of 21.7 ± 1.6 years and a mean BMI of 25.2 ± 6.1 kg/m 2 ; 65.4% were classified as having poor sleep quality. The PA levels were approximately evenly distributed (low, 33.1%; moderate, 33.1%; high, 33.8%). The overall mean GPA was 3.01 ± 0.48, and it differed significantly across PA categories (F(2,127) = 83.55, p < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.57; low 2.57 ± 0.32, moderate 3.00 ± 0.31, high 3.45 ± 0.33) and between good and poor sleepers (t(86) = 4.98, p < 0.001; 3.28 ± 0.45 vs 2.87 ± 0.43, Cohen’s d = 0.93). In the regression analysis ( R 2 = 0.64, p < 0.001, f 2 = 1.78), higher PA (B = 0.43, p < 0.001) and better sleep quality (lower PSQI; B = –0.04 per point, p < 0.001) independently predicted higher GPA, whereas BMI was not a significant predictor. Conclusion Poor sleep quality is highly prevalent and, together with insufficient PA, is associated with lower academic performance among male university students. Despite the limitations of a cross-sectional, single-gender design, campus-based interventions that promote both sleep hygiene and regular PA may contribute to improved academic outcomes in this population.