Poor fitness and strength related to depression and anxiety in middle-aged women

Although physical fitness has been badociated with reduced risk of heart disease and improved well-being, a new study appears to reinforce the mental health benefits of staying fit, especially staying strong, at home. middle-aged women.

Fitness is a well-known predictor of physical and mental health in men and women. Good cardiovascular health, improved cognition, reduced morbidity and a better quality of life are among the benefits of staying in shape.

In this study, researchers in Singapore determined that physical performance was related to mental health and emotions. Specifically, their findings suggest that poor physical fitness of the upper and lower bodies can cause more serious depression and anxiety in middle-aged women.

Although several studies have previously linked depression in middle-aged women with low self-reported physical activity, the new study is unique. The survey is the first to evaluate the objective measures of physical performance (strength, good physical shape of the upper and lower body) compared to depression and anxiety in premenopausal, menopausal and menopausal women.

The study appears online in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

Depression and anxiety are the most common symptoms in women of middle age. This latest study of more than 1,100 women aged 45 to 69 revealed that 15% of participants, especially the youngest, reported depression and / or anxiety.

Because depression can lead to disability, reduced quality of life, mortality and heart disease, the researchers felt that it was important to identify potentially modifiable risk factors that could reduce morbidity and mortality.

Investigators found significant badociations between objective measures of physical performance, depression, and anxiety.

Specifically, they found that the weakness of upper body strength (grip strength) and lower body strength (longer duration to complete the repeated chairkeeping test) was badociated with depression and / or or high anxiety symptoms.

The scientists point out that future trials are needed to determine whether strengthening exercises that improve physical performance could also help reduce depression and anxiety in middle-aged women.

"Strength training resulted in a significant reduction in depressive symptoms," said Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, Executive Director of NAMS.

"Strength training and aerobic exercise seem to improve depression, probably because of an increase in blood flow to the brain or better stress management resulting from the release of the brain. Endorphins such as norepinephrine and dopamine. "

Source: The North America Menopause Society / EurekAlert

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