Key result
Higher light-intensity physical activity was associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms in older adults (39.4 min/day in those without symptoms vs 37.3 min/day in those with; P<0.01).
Why the study?
Is there a relationship between objectively measured physical activity levels and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older Japanese adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=3,191)
Is there a relationship between objectively measured physical activity levels and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older Japanese adults?
p-value: p=<0.01
Higher levels of light-intensity physical activity are associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms in older adults.
Light activity linked to fewer depressive symptoms; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective trials before informing practice.
AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older Japanese adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used to obtain data from 3191 community-dwelling older Japanese adults aged 70-95 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed using self-reported scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale-15. PA was objectively measured using an accelerometer worn for a maximum of 40 days, and average daily durations of light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) and step count were calculated. PA was compared between participants with and without depressive symptoms by carrying out analysis of covariance and multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for all covariates by using propensity scores. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were present in 598 participants (19.6%). A comparison of propensity-score adjusted PA showed that step count (5059.6 ± 53.7 vs 5003.0 ± 112.1 count/day; P = 0.652) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA duration (23.0 ± 0.4 vs 23.8 ± 0.7 min/day; P = 0.358) were not significantly different between participants with and without depressive symptoms, respectively. However, participants without depressive symptoms had a significantly higher LPA duration than those with depressive symptoms (39.4 ± 0.3 vs 37.3 ± 0.7 min/day, respectively; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that individuals with lower LPA have a higher risk of depressive symptoms. These findings imply that PA recommendations, especially for older adults, should emphasize LPA, which appears to be especially effective at preventing depressive symptoms. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 421-427.
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Jung et al. (2017) conducted a cross-sectional in Depressive symptoms (n=3,191). Physical activity vs. Lower physical activity was evaluated on Depressive symptoms (p=<0.01). Higher light-intensity physical activity was associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms in older adults (39.4 min/day in those without symptoms vs 37.3 min/day in those with; P<0.01).
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