Low fitness linked to higher depression risk

A new study from our Co-founder and CSO finds that people with low aerobic and muscular fitness are nearly twice as likely to experience depression.

Low fitness levels also predicted a 60% greater chance of anxiety, over a seven-year follow-up, according to the findings published in BMC Medicine.

The study involved 152,978 participants aged 40 to 69 of the UK Biobank. Their aerobic fitness was tested by using a stationary bike with increasing resistance, while their muscular fitness was measured with a grip strength test. They also completed a questionnaire gauging depression and anxiety symptoms.

Seven years later they were tested again for depression and anxiety symptoms, and the researchers found that good aerobic and muscular fitness predicted better mental health seven years later.

Senior author Dr Joseph Hayes said: “Our findings suggest that encouraging people to exercise more could have extensive public health benefits, improving not only our physical health but our mental health too. Improving fitness through a combination of cardio exercise and strength and resistance training appears to be more beneficial than just focusing on aerobic or muscular fitness.”

“We at juli health understand the importance of healthy routines for emotional and physical wellbeing. That is why we built juli - the app which helps you set goals, track progress and make positive changes for mental and physical health.”

The research involved academics at UCL, King’s College London and Harvard University, and was supported by Wellcome, the Medical Research Council, the UK Department of Health, the Scottish government, Northwest Regional Development Agency, Welsh Assembly government, the British Heart Foundation, the ESRC, and the NIHR Biomedical Research Centres at UCLH and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.