Association between Depressive Symptoms and Preference for Exercise Intensity: A Cross-sectional Study.

Area of Science:

• Exercise Science
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Exercise intensity preference influences adherence and affective responses.
• The link between depressive symptoms and exercise intensity preference is unclear, especially in active adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between depressive symptoms and exercise intensity preference in physically active adults.
• To explore potential sex differences in this association.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the ELDAF study.
• Assessed depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
• Assessed exercise intensity preference using the Preference for and Tolerance of the Intensity of Exercise Questionnaire (PRETIE-Q).

Main Results:

• No overall association between depressive symptoms and exercise intensity preference in 639 active adults.
• A significant association was found in males: depressive symptoms correlated with a preference for high-intensity exercise.
• No association was observed in females.

Conclusions:

• Males with depressive symptoms are more likely to prefer high-intensity exercise.
• This preference in males may relate to behavioral activation or mood regulation through physiological responses.
• No similar association was found in females, suggesting sex-specific relationships.