Americans Get Physical After a Good Ni...(Mattress Does a Body Good The survey ...),Health

The survey also reveals that respondents who report getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night (7.5 hours is optimal) are more likely to be sleeping on a newer mattress (one to four years old). Additionally, findings reveal that those sleeping on a newer mattress are significantly more likely to engage in physical activities than those who sleep on older mattresses:
Type of Physical Newer Mattress Older Mattress

Activity (one - four years old) (eight -10 years old)

Running 59% 6%

Weights 54% 8%

Aerobics 57% 9%

The same survey found that 81 percent of Americans report waking up with back, neck or shoulder pain in the past year, with nearly half (46 percent) of respondents reporting that they frequently (at least a few times a month) wake up with these types of pain that limit their physical performance.

There's good news, however, for the majority of people suffering with limited mobility due to back and neck pain. According to Dr. Jacobson's study, published in the Journal of Applied Ergonomics, sleeping on a new mattress can significantly improve sleep quality during the night and reduce physical pain during the day. In fact, when sleeping on new bedding systems, study respondents on average reported significant improvements in:

* lower back pain (62.8 percent),

* shoulder pain (62.4 percent),

* back stiffness (58.4 percent),

* sleep quality (64.4 percent), and

* sleep comfort (69.6 percent).

"Like your favorite pair of athletic shoes, your mattress can still feel comfortable long after it has lost its ability to provide your body with the comfort and support it needs," said Karin Dillner, BSC spokesperson. "And just as we need the proper equipment to get the best worko
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