Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Longitudinal Associations Between Changes in Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms in Adulthood: The Young Finns Study

  • Published:
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Although previous studies have associated physical activity (PA) with lower depressive symptoms, the combined effects of the (1) frequency, (2) intensity, and (3) duration of long-term PA have not been examined in detail.

Purpose

We examined the dose–response association between changes in frequency, intensity, and duration of PA and depressive symptoms in men and women over 6 years.

Methods

Participants comprised 1,959 healthy adults (833 men and 1,126 women), aged 24–39 years in 2001, drawn from the ongoing Young Finns Study. PA was assessed using a self-report questionnaire completed in connection with a medical examination in 2001 and 2007. Depressive symptoms were simultaneously assessed using a modified version of Beck’s Depression Inventory in both phases.

Results

High doses of PA at baseline were prospectively associated with fewer depressive symptoms in men, while moderate doses of PA at baseline were inversely associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms in women. Associations between baseline PA and depressive symptom changes were mediated by social and health-related factors which differed between men and women. Long-term participation in regular PA in all dimensions remained remarkably stable (all p < 0.001). Compared to those who remained inactive, the persistently active participants in all dimensions, with the exception of women’s intensity group, were more likely to show decreases in depressive symptoms independent of the included confounders. An increase in PA in certain groups was also independently associated with fewer depressive symptoms, particularly in women.

Conclusions

Regular and persistent participation in different doses of PA may provide short-term and long-term beneficial effects on depressive symptom changes. The results imply that the moderate to high doses of PA may serve as a buffer against depression in early midlife.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Moussavi S, Chatterji S, Verdes E, Tandon A, Patel V, Ustun B. Depression, chronic diseases, and decrements in health: results from the World Health Surveys. Lancet. 2007;370:851–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Kessler RC, Berglund P, Demler O, Jin R, Merikangas KR, Walters EE. Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the national comorbidity survey replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62:593–602.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Blumenthal JA, Sherwood A, Babyak MA, et al. Exercise and pharmacological treatment of depressive symptoms in patients with coronary heart disease: results from the UPBEAT (Understanding the Prognostic Benefits of Exercise and Antidepressant Therapy) study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012;60:1053–63.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Biddle SJH, Asare M. Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents: a review of reviews. Br J Sports Med. 2011;45:886–95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Johnson KE, Taliaferro LA. Relationships between physical activity and depressive symptoms among middle and older adolescents: a review of the research literature. J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2011;16:235–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Mead G, Morley W, Campbell P, Greig CA, Mcmurdo M, Lawlor DA. Exercise for depression (Review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;3, CD004366.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Teychenne M, Ball K, Salmon J. Physical activity and likelihood of depression in adults: a review. Prev Med. 2008;46:397–411.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Phillips WT, Kiernan M, King AC. Physical activity as a nonpharmacological treatment for depression: a review. Complement Health Pract Rev. 2003;8:139–52.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Teychenne M, Ball K, Salmon J. Associations between physical activity and depressive symptoms in women. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2008;5:27.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Azar D, Ball K, Salmon J, Cleland V. The association between physical activity and depressive symptoms in young women: a review. Ment Health Phys Act. 2008;1:82–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Chu I-H, Buckworth J, Kirby TE, Emery CF. Effect of exercise intensity on depressive symptoms in women. Ment Health Phys Act. 2009;2:37–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Brown WJ, Ford JH, Burton NW, Marshall AL, Dobson AJ. Prospective study of physical activity and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women. Am J Prev Med. 2005;29:265–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. USDHHS. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2008. www.health.gov/paguidelines. 2008.

  14. McKercher CM, Schmidt MD, Sanderson KA, Patton GC, Dwyer T, Venn AJ. Physical activity and depression in young adults. Am J Prev Med. 2009;36:161–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Teychenne M, Ball K, Salmon J. Physical activity, sedentary behavior and depression among disadvantaged women. Health Educ Res. 2010;25:632–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Dunn AL, Trivedi MH, Kampert JB, Clark CG, Chambliss HO. Exercise treatment for depression: efficacy and dose response. Am J Prev Med. 2005;28:1–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Mutrie N, Hannah M. The importance of both setting and intensity of physical activity in relation to non-clinical anxiety and depression. Int J Health Promot Educ. 2007;45:24–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Jacka FN, Pasco JA, Williams LJ, Leslie ER, Dodd S, Nicholson GC, et al. Lower levels of physical activity in childhood associated with adult depression. J Sci Med Sport. 2011;14:222–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Korniloff K, Vanhala M, Kautiainen H, Koponen H, Peltonen M, Mäntyselkä P, et al. Lifetime leisure-time physical activity and the risk of depressive symptoms at the ages of 65–74 years: the FIN-D2D survey. Prev Med. 2012;54:313–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Stavrakakis N, Roest A, Verhulst F, Ormel J, de Jonge P, Oldehinkel A. Physical activity and onset of depression in adolescents: A prospective study in the general population cohort TRAILS. J Psychiatr Rev. 2013;47:1304–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Wang F, DesMeules M, Luo W, Dai S, Lagace C, Morrison H. Leisure-time physical activity and marital status in relation to depression between men and women: a prospective study. Health Psychol. 2011;30:204–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Heesch KC, Burton NW, Brown WJ. Concurrent and prospective associations between physical activity, walking and mental health in older women. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2011;65:807–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Kritz-Silverstein D, Barrett-Connor E, Corbeau C. Cross-sectional and prospective study of exercise and depressed mood in the elderly: the Rancho Bernardo study. Am J Epidemiol. 2001;153:596–603.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Smith PM, Bielecky A. The impact of changes in job strain and its components on the risk of depression. Am J Public Health. 2012;102:352–8.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Raitakari OT, Juonala M, Rönnemaa T, Keltikangas-Järvinen L, Räsänen L, Pietikäinen M, et al. Cohort profile: the cardiovascular risk in Young Finns Study. Int J Epidemiol. 2008;37:1220–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Telama R, Yang X, Viikari J, Välimäki I, Wanne O, Raitakari O. Physical activity from childhood to adulthood: a 21-year tracking study. Am J Prev Med. 2005;28:267–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Yang X, Telama R, Hirvensalo M, Hintsa T, Pulkki-Råback L, Hintsanen M, et al. Leadership component of type A behavior predicts physical activity in early midlife. Int J Behav Med. 2012;19:48–55.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Mansikkaniemi K, Juonala M, Taimela S, Hirvensalo M, Telama R, Huupponen R, et al. Cross-sectional associations between physical activity and selected coronary heart disease risk factors in young adults. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Ann Med. 2012;44:733–44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Haskell WL, I-Min L, Pate RR, Powell KE, Blair SN, Franklin BA, et al. Physical activity and public health: updated recommendation for adults from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;39:1423–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Hirvensalo M, Telama R, Schmidt MD, Tammelin TH, Yang X, Magnussen CG, et al. Daily steps among Finnish adults: variation by age, sex, and socioeconomic position. Scand J Public Health. 2011;39:669–77.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Beck A, Steer R. Manual for the revised Beck Depression Inventory. TX: Psychological Corp.: San Antonio; 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Elovainio M, Keltikangas-Järvinen L, Kivimäki M, Pulkki L, Puttonen S, Heponiemi T, et al. Depressive symptoms and carotid artery intima-media thickness in young adults: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Psychosom Med. 2005;67:561–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Karsten J, Hartman CA, Smit JH, Zitman FG, Beekman AT, Cuijpers P, et al. Psychiatric history and subthreshold symptoms as predictors of the occurrence of depressive or anxiety disorder within 2 years. Br J Psychiatry. 2011;198:206–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Salmela-Aro K, Nurmi J-E. Depressive symptoms and personal project appraisals: a cross-lagged longitudinal study. Pers Individ Dif. 1996;21:373–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Katainen S, Räikkönen K, Keltikangas-jarvinen L. Adolescent temperament, perceived social support, and depressive tendencies as predictors of depressive tendencies in young adulthood. Eur J Pers. 1999;13:183–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Elovainio M, Kivimäki M, Puttonen S, Heponiemi T, Pulkki L, Keltikangas-Järvinen L. Temperament and depressive symptoms: a population-based longitudinal study on Cloninger’s psychobiological temperament model. J Affect Disord. 2004;83:227–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Heponiemi T, Elovainio M, Kivimäki M, Pulkki L, Puttonen S, Keltikangas-Järvinen L. The longitudinal effects of social support and hostility on depressive tendencies. Soc Sci Med. 2006;63:1374–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Pulkki-Råback L, Elovainio M, Kivimäki M, Mattsson N, Raitakari OT, Puttonen S, et al. Depressive symptoms and the metabolic syndrome in childhood and adulthood. Health Psychol. 2009;28:108–16.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Lindwall M, Rennemark M, Halling A, Berglund J, Hassmén P. Depression and exercise in elderly men and women: findings from the Swedish national study on aging and care. J Aging Phys Act. 2007;15:41–55.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Sieverdes JC, Ray BM, Sui X, Lee D-C, Hand GA, Baruth M, et al. Association between leisure time physical activity and depressive symptoms in men. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2012;44:260–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Bernard P, Ninot G, Moullec G, Guillaume S, Courtet P, Quantin X. Smoking cessation, depression, and exercise: empirical evidence, clinical needs, and mechanisms. Nicotine Tob Res. 2013;15:1635–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Uebelacker L, Epstein-Lubow G, Gaudiano B, Tremont G, Battle C, Miller I. Hatha yoga for depression: critical review of the evidence for efficacy, plausible mechanisms of action, and directions for future research. J Psychiatr Pract. 2010;16:22–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Ruo B, Rumsfeld JS, Pipkin S, Whooley MA. Relation between depressive symptoms and treadmill exercise capacity in the Heart and Soul Study. Am J Cardiol. 2004;94:96–9.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Roshanaei-Moghaddam B, Katon WJ, Russo J. The longitudinal effects of depression on physical activity. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2009;31:306–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. De Moor MHM, Beem AL, Stubbe JH, Boomsma DI, De Geus EJC. Regular exercise, anxiety, depression and personality: a population-based study. Prev Med. 2006;42:273–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Harvey SB, Hotopf M, Overland S, Mykletun A. Physical activity and common mental disorders. Br J Psychiatry. 2010;197:357–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. The state of mental health and aging in America issue brief 1: What do the data tell us? Atlanta, GA: Nati.; 2008.

  48. Adults in later life with mental health problems, mental health foundation quoting psychiatry in the elderly (3rd edition), Oxford University Press 2002. Available at: www.mentalhealth.org.uk.; 2002.

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by the Academy of Finland [grant nos. 77841, 210283, 123621 (L.P.-R.), 258578 (M.H.), 121584, 124282], Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Ministry of Education and Culture (X.Y.), Turku University Foundation, Special Federal Grants for Turku University Hospital, Research Funds of the University of Helsinki (M.H.), Juho Vainio Foundation (L.P.-R.; X.Y.), Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, Emil Aaltonen Foundation (M.H.), Alli Paasikivi Foundation (M.H.), Finnish Medical Foundation, Finnish Cultural Foundation, and Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation.

Conflicts of interest

None declared.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. LIKES—Research Center for Sport and Health Sciences, Viitaniementie 15a, 40720, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Xiaolin Yang & Tuija Tammelin

  2. Department of Sport Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Mirja Hirvensalo & Risto Telama

  3. Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies and Unit of Personality, Work and Health Psychology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Mirka Hintsanen

  4. Unit of Personality, Work and Health Psychology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Taina Hintsa, Laura Pulkki-Råback & Markus Jokela

  5. Department of Pediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland

    Nina Hutri-Kähönen

  6. Department of Medicine, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

    Jorma S. A. Viikari

  7. Department of Clinical Physiology, Turku University Hospital and Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

    Olli T. Raitakari

Authors
  1. Xiaolin Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mirja Hirvensalo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mirka Hintsanen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Taina Hintsa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Laura Pulkki-Råback
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Markus Jokela
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Risto Telama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Tuija Tammelin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Nina Hutri-Kähönen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Jorma S. A. Viikari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Olli T. Raitakari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiaolin Yang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yang, X., Hirvensalo, M., Hintsanen, M. et al. Longitudinal Associations Between Changes in Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms in Adulthood: The Young Finns Study. Int.J. Behav. Med. 21, 908–917 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-013-9376-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-013-9376-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation