Depression and Objectively Measured Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Mental Health
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Depression presents a substantial global health burden.
• Physical activity (PA) is explored for its potential protective role against depression.
• Existing evidence on PA and depression is inconsistent, possibly due to varied measurement methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze the association between objectively measured PA and depression.
• To evaluate the impact of PA on both incident (new cases) and prevalent (existing cases) depression.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis adhering to Cochrane Collaboration and PRISMA guidelines.
• Comprehensive literature search across major databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, WoS, Cochrane Library) up to August 31, 2019.
• Inclusion of 42 studies involving 37,408 participants for quantitative analysis.

Main Results:

• A significant protective effect of higher levels of PA against depression was observed.
• The overall effect size (ES) for depression between the highest and lowest PA groups was -1.16 (95% CI = -1.41; -0.91, p < 0.001).
• Objectively measured PA demonstrated a notable association with reduced depression prevalence and incidence.

Conclusions:

• Objectively measured physical activity demonstrates a significant protective effect against both prevalent and incident depression.
• Findings support the integration of PA interventions in mental health strategies to mitigate depression.
• Standardized measurement of PA is crucial for clarifying its role in mental well-being.