Key result
Exercise in adolescence or older age linked to up to ~54% lower geriatric depression risk.
Why the study?
Exercise in older age and adolescence can improve depressive symptoms and cognitive function, suggesting that combining exercise habits across both life stages may be more effective in preventing geriatric depression.
Does exercise in adolescence and/or older age reduce the prevalence of geriatric depression in older adults?
Observational (n=1,629)
No
Does exercise in adolescence and/or older age reduce the prevalence of geriatric depression in older adults?
Effect estimate: OR 0.46 to 0.63 depending on group and sex (95% CI Men: NA 0.26-0.89, AN 0.32-0.90, AA 0.26-0.83; Women: NA 0.41-0.98, AN 0.40-0.88, AA 0.40-0.99)
Exercise habits during adolescence, older age, or both are significantly associated with a lower prevalence of geriatric depression.
Exercise from adolescence may lower geriatric depression risk; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
Background Exercise in older age improves depressive symptoms and prevents the onset of geriatric depression. Additionally, exercise in adolescence also enhances cognitive function, which may contribute to the prevention of geriatric depression. Therefore, the combination of exercise habits in adolescence and older age may be more effective in preventing geriatric depression.
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Shi et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Community-dwelling older adults aged 65-84 years from the Bunkyo Health Study (n=1,629). Exercise habits in adolescence and/or older age vs. No exercise habits in adolescence or older age was evaluated on Prevalence of geriatric depression defined as Geriatric Depression Scale score ≥5 (OR 0.46 to 0.63 depending on group and sex, 95% CI Men: NA 0.26-0.89, AN 0.32-0.90, AA 0.26-0.83; Women: NA 0.41-0.98, AN 0.40-0.88, AA 0.40-0.99). Exercise habits in adolescence, older age, or both were associated with a 37% to 54% lower odds of geriatric depression compared to no exercise habits in 1629 adults aged 65-84 years in Japan.
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