People with significant depressive symptoms tend to become less active over time.
- The French are doing less and less physical activity.
- According to a new study, “the severity of depressive symptoms predicted a decline in physical activity in the years following the episode.”
- On the other hand, the reverse was not observed.
A recent study published in the journal Mental Health and Physical Activity provides new insights into the reciprocal influence of depression and physical activity.
Physical activity and depression: a 25-year survey
The research was based on survey data “Americans’ Changing Lives” which followed 3,499 American adults for 25 years, from 1986 to 2011.
All participants were interviewed five times during this period to assess their level of physical activity and the onset of potential depressive symptoms. The cohort was socially diverse to best represent Western societies.
Depression: a impact long term on physical activity
After analysis, the team of scientists found an inverse relationship between depressive symptoms and physical activity at each measurement point. This means that people who suffered from the most intense depression were the least likely to engage in physical activity during the same period, and those who were more physically active tended to report fewer depressive symptoms.
Another important fact: the severity of depressive symptoms predicted a decline in physical activity in the years following the episode. In contrast, the reverse was not observed. Indeed, physical activity levels did not significantly predict the future course of depression. This suggests that while physical activity can help preserve mental health, it may not be enough to prevent the onset or worsening of depression in the long term.
Depression: “There is no bad time to start doing more physical activity”
“There are two main conclusions to be drawn from my study,” said project director Soli Dubash. “First, feeling depressed may not be a sign that there is something wrong with you but rather that you need to move more, whether that’s walking, gardening or exercising,” he reports.
“Second, there’s no bad time to start increasing your physical activity. Establishing a routine of walking your dog or playing sports with a friend can have lasting benefits for both mental and physical health,” he concludes.
21% of French people did not do any physical or sporting activity in 2023 (even for daily travel) compared to 25% in 2018. Young people and the most affluent social categories remain the most sporty.
