Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports · 2002 · 82 citations · 25 references
Quality Of LifePhysical ActivityReproductive HealthHealth PsychologyMental HealthHealth StatusExerciseMidlife HealthPhysical ExercisePublic HealthHealth SciencesPsychiatryDepressionPsychosocial FactorBetter Mental HealthFertility‐aged WomenPhysical Activity EpidemiologyHealth BehaviorMedicineWomen's Health
The purpose of this investigation was to measure the association between leisure time physical activity and health status, mental health and depression. The participants were women aged 18-45. The data were collected using questionnaires that were mailed to 1200 women. The response rate was 55%. The questionnaire contained three instruments: the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the Health Questionnaire for Adults, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The results showed that 52.8% of the sample were physically inactive. Physically active women experienced better mental health (P < 0.05), less depression (P < 0.05) and they had better general health status (P < 0.005). Differences in the emotional state (GHQ score) and depression (BDI score) between active (participating in exercise 3 or 1-2 times a week) and inactive women were significant (P < 0.05). Even a low level of physical activity (1-2 times per week) was positively related to women's mental health (P < 0.05).
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Physical Fitness and All-Cause Mortality
Steven N. Blair · JAMA · 1989 · 2.6K citations
Physical Activity and Depression: Evidence from the Alameda County Study
Terry Camacho, Robert E. Roberts, Nancy Lazarus et al. · American Journal of Epidemiology · 1991 · 655 citations