Regular exercise is associated with a reduction in the odds of depressive symptoms by up to 19 per cent, according to estimates in a new study. Researchers used data from the 1958 British Birth Cohort, which tracked about 11,000 people in the UK who were all born in the same week in 1958 through their lives.
The researchers found that at most ages, there was a trend of fewer depressive symptoms with more frequent activity. The authors note that the relationship appeared to be bidirectional, that is, while activity may alleviate depressive symptoms, in turn, depressive symptoms in early adulthood may be a barrier to activity.
Original research paper published in JAMA Psychiatry on October 15, 2014.
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