Sleep apnea weakens muscles and bone health, new study says — doctors explain why and how to manage it

A man with dark hair and beard wearing grey t-shirt holding left bicep representing muscle loss (left). A man asleep in bed wearing a CPAP machine to manage sleep apnea (right). .

A new study from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Soroka University Medical Center, published in the medical journal Sleep and Breathing, now links obstructive sleep apnea with reduced muscle quality and strength, plus an increased risk of fractures.

It's estimated that around 936 million people globally are affected by sleep apnea, with the main symptoms and effects being impaired breathing at night, leading to strong daytime fatigue. If you're waking up exhausted and feeling weak when working out, your sleep disorder might be to blame.