Research Impact: This article examines cross-sectional and prospective associations of walking and meeting and exceeding recommended physical activity (PA) levels with depression among a large cohort of older Irish adults. Cross-sectionally, meeting PA guidelines was significantly associated with 40% lower odds of depression, with a stronger association observed among those achieving double the recommendations. A similar dose-response was observed for walking. Prospectively, meeting PA guidelines was non-significantly associated with 23% lower odds of developing depression. No dose response was observed for moderate-to-vigorous PA or walking in prospective analyses. However, although there was no apparent additional benefit of greater doses of PA for depression in the present study, additional health benefits of larger doses of PA have previously been identified. Future research should focus on associations of depression and volumes of PA less than PA guidelines, light intensity PA, and sedentary behaviour.
McDowell CP, Dishman RK, Hallgren M, MacDonncha C, Herring MP (2018) Associations of physical activity and depression: Results from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Experimental Gerontology doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2018.09.004 (IF:3.22; Q2: Geriatrics & Gerontology – SCIE)
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