Physical Activity Characteristics and Symptoms of Depression: Findings from the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study

Examine the relationship between physical activity (PA) characteristics and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling adults.

The study consisted of 38,946 participants (n = 26,378 men, n = 12,568 women) who completed a 10-item depression screening assessment, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and reported PA within the prior 3 months as part of a preventive exam. Intensity of PA reported in metabolic equivalent of task (METs) was assigned based on activity using the Compendium of Physical Activities. Weekly PA volume (MET·min per wk) was calculated as the product of product of intensity (METs) and weekly duration (min per wk) summed across reported activities. Leading type (participants' predominant activity) was classified as aerobic, strength, mixed-endurance (e.g., circuit/interval training, basketball, racket sports, etc.), and flexibility. Diversity of activity was calculated based on Shannon's diversity index using binary logarithms on the proportions of time spent in each reported activity. Depressive symptoms were determined by a CES-D score ≥10. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using logistic regression to assess the association between PA characteristics and depression symptoms by sex, adjusted for age, current smoking, alcohol intake, body mass index, glucose, cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure.

The mean age ± SD for women and men was 48.3 ± 10.8 and 49 ± 10.1 years, respectively. CES-D score ≥10 was present in 15.4% of women and 9.1% of men. Risk of depressive symptoms was inversely related to all PA characteristics individually and to average intensity and diversity of activity when all PA variables were modeled together.

While all measured PA characteristics were associated with reduced odds of depressive symptoms, the most significant associations were observed for PA intensity and diversity. As such, engaging in a variety of activities, some of which are high-intensity, may be associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms.