Key result
Men engaging in at least 2.5 hours per week of moderate-to-vigorous leisure-time physical activity had a significantly lower likelihood of feeling hopeless compared to those engaging in 60 minutes or less per week (OR 0.73).
Why the study?
Does moderate-to-vigorous leisure-time physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness reduce feelings of hopelessness in middle-aged men?
Cross-Sectional (n=2,428)
No
Does moderate-to-vigorous leisure-time physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness reduce feelings of hopelessness in middle-aged men?
Odds Ratio: 0.73 (95% CI 0.6–0.9)
p-value: p=0.001
Moderate and vigorous leisure-time physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are inversely associated with feelings of hopelessness in middle-aged men, independent of depressive symptoms.
Should not yet change practice for hopelessness; leaves open causal effects of activity in middle-aged men.
BACKGROUND: Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and cardiorespiratory fitness contribute to mental health. Hopelessness has been linked to impaired mental health, cardiovascular events and mortality. Previous studies have focused on physical exercise and depression. We examined the associations of LTPA and cardiorespiratory fitness with feelings of hopelessness. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study leisure-time physical activity, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), hopelessness and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in a population-based cohort of 2428 men aged 42 - 60 years old at baseline. RESULTS: Men feeling more hopeless about their future and reaching goals were less physically active, less fit and had a higher prevalence of many cardiovascular risk factors than men with lower levels of hopelessness. In a logistic regression model adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, cardiovascular disease and socioeconomic status, men engaging in less than 60 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous LTPA were 37% (95% CI 11 - 67%) more likely to feel hopeless than those engaging in at least 2.5 h/wk of LTPA. After further adjusting for elevated depressive symptoms the association of LTPA and hopelessness remained significant. VO2max was also associated with hopelessness, but not after adjustment for depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Moderate and vigorous LTPA and cardiorespiratory fitness were inversely associated with hopelessness in these middle-aged men. These findings suggest that physical inactivity and poor cardiorespiratory fitness is an important associate of hopelessness, a distinct element of low subjective well-being.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Valtonen et al. (2009) conducted a cross-sectional in Hopelessness (n=2,428). Moderate-to-vigorous leisure-time physical activity (>= 150 min/week) vs. Low moderate-to-vigorous leisure-time physical activity (<= 60 min/week) was evaluated on Feelings of hopelessness (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.60-0.90, p=0.001). Men engaging in at least 2.5 hours per week of moderate-to-vigorous leisure-time physical activity had a significantly lower likelihood of feeling hopeless compared to those engaging in 60 minutes or less per week (OR 0.73).
Synapse has enriched 3 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: