The effects of leisure time physical activity on depression among older women depend on intensity and frequency

Leisure time physical activity (LTPA) is beneficial for late-life depression (LLD). The main purpose of this study was to estimate the associations between LTPA parameters (intensity, duration, frequency) and LLD.

Through the 2018 Women Health Needs Survey, data on 1,892 women aged 55-70 in Hunan, China, were studied. Depression was measured by the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Self-reported LTPA parameters were collected. Binary logistic regression models were used to compute odds ratios (OR) for LTPA for predicting depression. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the effect of missing values.

Moderate LTPA volume (OR = 0.582, p = 0.027, 95% CI [0.360-0.941] for 150-299 min/week and OR = 0.392, p = 0.002, 95% CI [0.215-0.714] for ≥300 min/week) was associated with reduced depression, while vigorous LTPA could increase the risk (OR = 2.414, p = 0.029, 95% CI [1.095-5.325] for <75 min/week and OR = 3.824, p = 0.007, 95% CI [1.439-10.158] for ≥75 min/week). Frequent (6-7 days/week), moderate LTPA had a lower risk (OR = 0.570, p = 0.021, 95% CI [0.353-0.918]), while frequent (≥3 days/week), vigorous LTPA increased the risk (OR = 5.103, p = 0.001, 95% CI [1.977-13.172]). The adjusted relationship between the duration and depression was not observed. The results were supported by the sensitivity analysis based on missing value replacement.

In this cross-sectional study, LTPA data were self-reported and no data on light LTPA were collected.

Moderate LTPA, associated with mental health benefits, should be recommended for older women instead of vigorous LTPA.