Dimensions of leisure-time physical activity and risk of depression in the “Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra” (SUN) prospective cohort

Abstract

Background: An inverse association between total leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and depression has been previously documented in the scientific literature. Our objective was to prospectively assess the association of LTPA with the risk of depression, focusing on several dimensions of LTPA (intensity, duration and type). Methods: The SUN (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra) project is a prospective cohort study formed by Spanish university graduates. A total of 15,488 adults (40.2% men, mean age 37 ± 12 years) initially free of depression were assessed. A report of a validated medical diagnosis of depression or the habitual use of antidepressants (any of both) were considered as incident cases of depression. LTPA was estimated through previously validated selfreported questionnaires. Participants were classified following Physical Activity recommendations from the World Health Organization, and according to the intensity, duration and type of LTPA. Cox proportional hazards regression models were run, adjusted for demographic, lifestyle, and dietary factors, to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of depression and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: During 163,059 person-years of follow-up we registered 870 incident cases of depression. Participants with higher total LTPA (METs-h/wk) and higher duration of LTPA (hours/wk) exhibited a lower risk of depression HR = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.72-0.99) and HR = 0.83 (0.70-0.99) respectively, whereas intensity of LTPA (MET) did not show any association with depression. Conclusion: Participants with higher LTPA had a lower risk of depression. The inverse association was stronger for total LPTA time than for its intensity. Higher duration of LTPA should be encouraged to prevent depression.

Leisure-time physical activity and risk of depression: A dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

“…According to the NOS score, 6 works of literature were ≥7 points, which was high-quality literature, and the others were medium quality literature. Among the 12 studies, 5 were from America, [ 10 , 16 , 20 , 22 , 23 ] 2 were from Asia, [ 6 , 21 ] 4 were from Europe, [ 5 , 17 , 18 , 24 ] and one was from Oceania. [ 19 ]…”

“…For example, Fernandez-Montero et al considered that the total dose of sports (MET) and the duration of sports activities were significantly correlated with the incidence rate of depression; however, there was no correlation with the intensity of sports activities. [ 5 ] Kim et al determined the best physical activity volume of 1200 to 3000 METs-min/week to reduce the onset of depressive symptoms in a cohort study. The “U” curve represents the dose-response relationship between physical activity and depression incidence rate.…”

Effectiveness of wearable devices as a support strategy for maintaining physical activity after a structured exercise intervention for employees with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

“…PA and physical exercise on a regular basis have a positive influence on mental health and QoL both in people who are healthy [25] and people with diseases [26], considering that there is a correlation between MetS and depression [27] as well as MetS and anxiety [28]. In 2016, major depression was the fifth leading cause of years lived with disability [29], which clarifies the importance of addressing mental health in health care programs especially in workplace settings.…”

Association between ideal cardiovascular health and telomere length in participants older than 55 years old from the SUN cohort

“…22 Briefly, baseline and follow-up data are collected through self-reported postal or webbased questionnaires every 2 years. 22 The SUN cohort gathers information on a wide array of self-reported, previously validated characteristics, including anthropometric variables (such as body mass index), 22 clinical history (such as total cholesterol, 23 blood pressure 24 and glucose levels 25 ), sociodemographic and lifestylerelated factors (such as a 136-item semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionare, 26 smoking status 22 and physical activity 27 ). The research protocol was written in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the University of Navarre institutional review board.…”