Research Impact: Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with less anxiety, but prospective studies linked to clinician diagnoses of anxiety disorders are scarce. We examined whether PA recommended for general health were associated with anxiety symptoms and disorders cross-sectionally and across 13 years among 27,053 Swedish adults (49.0±15.9 years). Cross-sectionally, meeting PA guidelines was associated with 24% lower odds of anxiety symptoms; exceeding guidelines was associated with 36% lower odds. During 13-year follow-up, 198 incident cases of anxiety disorder (0.8%) were identified; no significant prospective associations were found. As incidence of anxiety disorder was likely underestimated, future prospective studies are needed.
Hallgren M, Nguyen TTD, Herring MP, McDowell CP, Gordon BR, Stubbs B, Bellocco R, Lagerros YT (2019). Associations of physical activity with anxiety symptoms and disorders: Findings from the Swedish National March Cohort. General Hospital Psychiatry, 58:45-50. DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2019.03.001. (IF: 2.989; C=4; Q2 Psychiatry; R=52/142)
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