Frequency and pattern of exercise and depression after two years in older Japanese adults: the JAGES longitudinal study

Abstract

Few have clarified what exercise frequencies and patterns (e.g. alone or with others) are effective for preventing depression in older adults. We examined the relationship between total frequency and/or pattern of exercise and the risk of depression after two years in older Japanese adults. We used a sub-sample of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) performed in 2011 and 2013. The sample for analysis was 1,422 adults aged 65 years or older without depression and low physical strength in 2011. All variables were assessed with a questionnaire including the geriatric depression screening scale (GDS-15). Binomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between exercise in 2011 and depression in 2013 (0 = non-depression, 1 = depression). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for later depression was 0.52 (95% confidence intervals: 0.33–0.81) for exercise two or more times a week compared to non-exercisers. The OR for exercisers who exercise with others even a little (Ewo) was 0.53 (0.34–0.84) compared to non-exercisers. Among combinations of frequency and pattern, the OR for Ewo who exercise two or more times a week was 0.40 (0.24–0.68) compared to non-exercisers. Exercising at least twice a week and/or with others may be useful in preventing depression in older adults.

Specific types of sports and exercise group participation and socio-psychological health in older people

“…Engaging in group sports and exercise has been reported to reduce the risk of functional disability, (Kanamori et al, 2012) depressive symptoms, (Kanamori et al, 2018) and falls (Hayashi et al, 2018) among older people, compared to engaging in sports and exercise alone. The suspected mechanisms between sports and exercise group participation and health outcomes generally involve the benefits of physical activity (e.g., inducing good adherence and long duration), psychological factors (e.g., leading to enjoyment, enhanced self-esteem, and decreased stress), and social factors (e.g., receiving social support, social capital, and social influence) (Kanamori, Takamiya, & Inoue, 2015).…”

Evening exercise is associated with lower odds of visual field progression in Chinese patients with primary open angle glaucoma

“…Much like other patients with chronic diseases, glaucoma patients are more likely to have depression with a reported prevalence of 10.9% in comparison with those without glaucoma (6.9%) [41]. Literature has shown that exercise reduces the incidence of depression or anxiety [8,42,43]. For example, Babyak M [44] investigated 156 adult volunteers with major depressive disorder for 10 months, and found that increasing exercise time lowers depression relapse rates in comparison to that of the medication group.…”

“…Physical activity (PA) is an essential part of daily life, with PA guidelines in the US advising adults to set aside time for at least 150 min to 300 min of moderate intensity PA per week or 75 min to 150 min of vigorous intensity aerobic PA per week to stay healthy [7]. The health benefits of PA have been widely documented for both systemic and ocular diseases including boosting the immune system, improving sleep quality, reducing the incidence of cardiac-cerebral vascular events and is correlated with decreased anxiety and depression rates [8][9][10][11][12]. For eyes in particular, exercise can decrease the IOP [13] and decreasing IOP is associated with the magnitude of exercise [14].…”

Effect of walking on depression prevalence for diabetes using information communication technology: Prospective study

“…There are several Nordic Walking Circles in which middle‐aged and older people can participate, and the development of the system and of the community might have contributed to the lower prevalence of depression observed in the present study. Another study mentions exercise frequency as a depression prevention measure for older adults, and exercising at least twice a week and/or with others might be useful in preventing depression …”

“…Another study mentions exercise frequency as a depression prevention measure for older adults, and exercising at least twice a week and/or with others might be useful in preventing depression. 30 The present study included participants with various background diseases, and it is assumed that there were participants with a high risk of developing depression in both the intervention and control groups. Previous studies have reported that two or more exercise sessions a week are effective in preventing depression.…”