Smartphone app data discloses how world sleeps

Image for representational purpose only

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Did you ever think that a smartphone app data will divulge the fact as to how the world is sleeping? It's true.

A smartphone app-based study has revealed that women falling in the age group 30-60 sleep about 30 minutes more than men.

Middle-aged men get the least sleep, even less than the recommended 7-8 hours.

People who spend some time in the sunlight each day tend to go to bed earlier and get more sleep than those who spend most of their time in indoor light, the team from University of Michigan (UM) found.

The pioneering study of worldwide sleep patterns combined math modelling, mobile apps and big data to find the roles society and biology each play in setting sleep schedules.

The team used a free smartphone app that reduces jetlag to gather robust sleep data from thousands of people in 100 nations.

Among their findings is that cultural pressures can override natural circadian rhythms, with the effects showing up most markedly at bedtime.

While morning responsibilities like work, kids and school play a role in wake-time, the researchers say these are not the only factor.

(With IANS inputs)