Leisure‐time exercise is associated with lower depressive symptoms in community dwelling adults

Abstract

Physical activity has been associated with enhanced mental health among adults. However, it is not clear in the literature which domains (occupational, transport and leisure-time exercise) and intensities (moderate, vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous) of activity provide the greatest benefits. The aim of the present study was to describe the association of different domains and intensities of physical activity with depressive symptoms in adults. This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted among 209 adults (≥18 years) in Brazil. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the HADS questionnaire (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Physical activity intensities (moderate, vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous) were device-measured by accelerometry. Physical activity in different domains (occupational, transport, and leisure-time exercise) was self-reported using a questionnaire. Chronological age, ethnicity, body mass index, highest academic achievement, employment status, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, chronic morbidity and soft-drink ingestion were adopted as adjustment confounding factors. Linear regression analysis revealed that total self-reported physical activity [β = -0.100 (95%CI: -0.180 to -0.019)] and leisure-time exercise [β = -0.311 (95%CI: -0.468 to -0.155)] were negatively associated with depressive symptoms, but only leisure-time exercise remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors [β = -0.243 (95%CI: -0.409 to -0.076)]. Thus, leisure-time exercise was cross-sectionally associated with lower depressive symptoms in community-dwelling adults. Highlights. Leisure-time physical activity was the only physical activity domain associated with lower depressive symptoms. . This association appears to be independent of potential confounders.. Potential interventions should focus on leisure-time domain.

Thirty years of research on physical activity, mental health, and wellbeing: A scientometric analysis of hotspots and trends

“…For the 2016–2021 time period, the top three identified articles based on the strongest centrality divergence were the Stubbs et al study on factors influencing physical activity among 204,186 people across 46 low-and middle-income countries ( 73 ), Vancampfort et al's meta-analysis on sedentary behavior and physical activity levels in people with severe mental illness ( 7 ), and Vancampfort et al's review on physical activity and metabolic disease among people with severe mental illness ( 74 ). For the time period January 2021 to May 2021, the top three studies were the Aguilar et al's study on the association between leisure-time exercise and depressive symptoms ( 75 ), the Schuch et al's study on the ELSA-Brasil cohort concerning the association between leisure-time, transport, depression and anxiety symptoms ( 76 ), and the van Sluijs et al's review on physical activity behaviors during adolescence ( 77 ).…”

The Impact of Leisure Activities on the Mental Health of Older Adults: The Mediating Effect of Social Support and Perceived Stress

“…Leisure activity can curb depression in older adults and promote longevity [ 22 ]. The significance of leisure activities is that it can become an effective way for older adults to pursue self-value and integrate into society [ 26 ]. Leisure activities play a good role in venting all kinds of worries and anxieties and promoting mental balance [ 27 ].…”

Depressive Symptoms Associated With Musculoskeletal Pain in Inactive Adults During COVID-19 Quarantine

“…In this sense, encouraging physical activity is necessary, since it has been inversely related with depression symptoms (Aguilar et al, 2021;Ribeiro et al, 2020;Yasunaga et al, 2018) and pain (Geneen et al, 2017;Scarabattolo et al, 2019;Saraiva et al 2020). In our study, participants with depressive symptoms, but who were physically active during quarantine, reported pain in less body regions and were less likely to have association of depressive symptoms with body pain when compared to those who were physically inactive.…”

“…Encouraging physical activity is necessary, since it has been inversely correlated with depression symptoms ( Aguilar et al., 2021 ; Ribeiro et al., 2020 ; Yasunaga et al., 2018 ) and pain ( Geneen et al., 2017 ; Scarabattolo et al., 2019 ; Saraiva et al. 2020 ).…”