Effects of increased daily physical activity on mental health and depression biomarkers in postmenopausal women

Abstract

[Purpose] Little is known about the effectiveness of daily physical activity on depression biomarkers in older adults. This study aimed to investigate the effects of increased daily physical activity for 8 weeks on depression biomarkers in postmenopausal women. [Participants and Methods] Thirty-eight postmenopausal females were randomly assigned into a control or an active group and were asked to wear a uniaxial accelerometer for 8 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at the end of the intervention. During the intervention, the active group was asked to increase their physical activity level above their usual lifestyle whereas those in the control group maintained their daily lifestyle. [Results] After the 8-week intervention, the step counts of the participants in the active group increased. The serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and serotonin increased significantly in the active group, but not in the control group, as compared with baseline values. The serum concentration of derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites and biological antioxidant potential did not change after the intervention in either group. [Conclusion] These findings may suggest that promotion of daily physical activity in postmenopausal women has a positive impact on depression without any change in oxidative stress.

Impact of problematic mobile phone use and insufficient physical activity on depression symptoms: a college-based follow-up study

“…Given the context of life transition, transitional-age youth are uniquely vulnerable to mental health problems such as depression [2]. There is some evidence that lifestyle-related risk factors may contribute to depression; for example, screen time exposure [3], unhealthy diet [4], sedentary lifestyle, stressful events [5], physical activity (PA) [6], and sleep problems [7]. However, these associations may be explained by some common mechanisms.…”

Effects of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) on serotonin in serum, depressive symptoms and subjective sleep quality in middle-aged males

“…To control for the effects of alcohol, the subjects did not consume alcohol during the study period. It has been reported that physical activity affects mental health and depression biomarkers [ 27 ]; therefore, we have to control the effect of physical activity. To control the effect of physical activity, subjects walked the same distance (5 km/day) during the same period in both trips.…”

Regular Physical Activities and Related Factors among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Jinan, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Prospective studies showed that the association between RPA and depressive symptoms appeared to be bidirectional [ 63 , 64 ] due to the relationship between physical function and physical activities being bidirectional [ 65 ]. Elderly people who were clinically diagnosed with depression took part less in RPA [ 66 ], which aggravated the symptoms of depression [ 67 ]. Therefore, RPA of older adults with depression should be focused on, so that they could enter a virtuous circle as soon as possible, that is, from the increase in RPA to the reduction in depression, and then increase their participation in RPA.…”