Prospective relationship between objectively measured light physical activity and depressive symptoms in later life

Abstract

Background:The use of self-report measures of physical activity is a serious methodological weakness in many studies of physical activity and depressive symptoms. It is still equivocal whether light physical activity protects older adults from depressive symptoms.Objective: This study aimed to explore whether objectively measured light physical activity, independent of sedentary and moderate-to-vigorous activity, is associated with a reduced risk of subsequent depressive symptoms in older adults. Methods: This was a 2-year prospective cohort study. A total of 285 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older were interviewed in 2012. A second wave of assessment was carried out in 2014 involving 274 (96.1%) participants. Time spent in physical activity at different intensities was assessed using triaxial accelerometers. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Negative binomial regression models with adjustment for baseline depressive symptoms, accelerometer wear time, socio-demographic variables, lifestyle behaviors, and chronic disease conditions were conducted. Results: Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous and light physical activities were both inversely related to depressive symptoms at follow-up. Sedentary time was associated with an increased risk of subsequent depressive symptoms. When sedentary or moderate-to-vigorous activity were included in the multivariable-adjusted regression models with light physical activity simultaneously, only light physical activity remained significant. Sensitivity analyses for assessing confounding and reverse causation provided further support for the stability of these findings. Conclusion: Light physical activity, independent of sedentary and moderate-to-vigorous activity, is associated with a reduced risk of subsequent depressive symptoms in later life.

Device‐measured light‐intensity physical activity and mortality: A meta‐analysis

“…[1][2][3] Research has tended to focus on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; ie, approximately ≥3 metabolic equivalents [METS]), although there is a lack of evidence on health benefits of light physical activities (LPA; ie, activities ranging between 1.5 and <3 METS) such as casual walking, lifting lightweight objects, light household chores or yard works, and stretching. 4,5 According to the estimates from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, time spent in devicemeasured LPA among adults (7.8 h/d) is much higher than those spent in MVPA (0.2 h/d). 6 LPA appears to have potential to increase daily physical activity energy expenditure.…”

Behavioral protective factors of increased depressive symptoms in community‐dwelling older adults: A prospective cohort study

“…Physical activity has been described as a positive health behavior that can reduce the risk of subsequent depressive symptoms in later life by prospective studies . As a plausible mechanism, physical activity is considered to activate specific biological pathways; increase a sense of mastery, a sense of self‐worth, or number of social contacts; or distract from negative thoughts .…”

“…Physical activity has been described as a positive health behavior that can reduce the risk of subsequent depressive symptoms in later life by prospective studies. [14][15][16] As a plausible mechanism, physical activity is considered to activate specific biological pathways; increase a sense of mastery, a sense of self-worth, or number of social contacts; or distract from negative thoughts. 17 Moreover, a prospective study of over 3 years of follow-up reported that even low levels of physical activity and walking were associated with lower depressive and anxiety symptoms in older women.…”

Differences in Objectively Measured Daily Physical Activity Patterns Related to Depressive Symptoms in Community Dwelling Women - mPED Trial

“…Although many studies found a relation between overall levels of physical activity and depressive symptoms 10,11,36,41,42 of which most were measured by self-report physical activity, a few studies that used objectively measured physical activity also did not nd this relationship 14,43 . The results of this study suggest that differences in physical activity in depression (when measured objectively) might not lie in the total amount of activity, but rather in the day-to-day differences in patterns of physical activity.…”