Better together: How group-based physical activity protects against depression

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Physical activity is known to protect against depression.
• Mechanisms and moderators of this relationship are under investigation.
• The role of group participation in physical activity for depression prevention is unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if engaging in physical activity within sport or exercise groups protects against depression.
• To test if greater physical activity and reduced loneliness mediate this protective effect.
• To examine the impact of losing access to these groups during COVID-19 restrictions.

Main Methods:

• Study 1: Longitudinal population study of older adults in England (N=4549) across three waves.
• Study 2: Cross-sectional study of Australian adults (N=635) during COVID-19 restrictions.
• Statistical analyses included regression and mediation to assess group membership, physical activity, loneliness, and depression symptoms.

Main Results:

• Sport or exercise group membership predicted fewer depression symptoms over four years.
• Group members engaged in physical activity more frequently and reported less loneliness.
• Clinical depression rates were nearly double for non-group members compared to group members.
• Losing access to sport/exercise groups during COVID-19 correlated with increased depression severity, mediated by loneliness.

Conclusions:

• Belonging to physical activity groups offers protection against depression.
• Reduced loneliness appears to be a key mechanism, more so than increased physical activity alone.
• Promoting engagement in group-based physical activities is valuable for mental well-being.