Key result
Self-reported physical activity showed no relationship with the subsequent risk of clinical depression or psychiatric distress among 973 physicians.
Why the study?
Does physical activity reduce the risk of depression and psychiatric distress in midlife physicians?
Observational (n=973)
Does physical activity reduce the risk of depression and psychiatric distress in midlife physicians?
This prospective study found no evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of depression or psychiatric distress in midlife physicians.
No association in physicians does not support activity for depression prevention; leaves open causality and need for RCTs.
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship of self-reported physical activity with subsequent depression and psychiatric distress. METHODS: Physical activity was assessed in medical school and midlife in 973 physicians as part of a prospective observational study. Outcome measures were the incidence of self-reported clinical depression and psychiatric distress on the General Health Questionnaire. RESULTS: The risk of depression was similar for nonexercisers and exercisers. No relationship was observed between physical activity level and subsequent psychiatric distress. CONCLUSIONS: This study found no evidence that exercise reduces risk for depression or psychiatric distress.
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Cooper-Patrick et al. (1997) conducted an observational in Depression and psychiatric distress (n=973). Physical activity vs. Nonexercisers was evaluated on Incidence of self-reported clinical depression and psychiatric distress. Self-reported physical activity showed no relationship with the subsequent risk of clinical depression or psychiatric distress among 973 physicians.
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