The association between physical activity and depression in older depressed adults

Previous studies of younger, healthy individuals have demonstrated an inver se relationship between physical activity and depression. The present study addressed the relation between self-reported physical activity and symptom s of depression in 146 men and women aged 50 years and older with major dep ressive disorder (MDD). Patients who met clinical criteria for MDD complete d the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Minnesota Leisure-Time Activi ty Questionnaire (MQ). Multiple regression analysis indicated that lower le vels of physical activity were associated with more severe depressive sympt oms (p = .04), after adjusting for age and gender. The implications of thes e findings for the treatment and prevention of depression are discussed.