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Regular Physical Activity Brings More Years to Life and More Life to Years

Regular physical activity is associated with a lower risk of suffering depression in old age. This is shown by one of the largest studies
on elderly Europeans to have been carried out, by researchers at
the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Research also shows that self-determined motivation and perceived competence are
important factors in persuading elderly people to exercise more.

 

"The causal relationship between physical activity and depression
is that elderly people who are physically active are less depressed,
but higher levels of depression can also lead to less exercise, and
this suggests there is a mutual influence," say research scientists
at the University of Gothenburg, specializing in exercise and health psychology .

 

In a recently published study 17,500 elderly people (average age of 64) from 11 European countries who are taking part in the large EU-funded population study "Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement" (SHARE).
The subjects in the study were followed up over a period of two and a
half years, among other things with regard to physical activity and depression.

 

"This study is one of the first to look at both how physical activity affects future depression and vice-versa, and how change in physical activity is associated with change in depression over time," say the researchers.

 

"An important question for the researchers to answer has been what motivates elderly people to be physically active. Modern motivational theories propose, for example, that individuals who feel that they are competent, that they can take decisions for themselves and have
freedom of choice and that they feel social relatedness linked to
physical activity experience a more internal and a less controlled
form of motivation for exercise. This form of motivation, unlike a
non-self-determining external form of motivation, is also associated
with the maintenance of long-term regular physical activity, which also improves the prospects for the positive effects that physical activity
can have on both physical and mental health.

 

"Right now we are developing and testing a structured program to
increase motivation for physical activity among the elderly based
on the theories that today has strong support in the research,"
they're reporting.

The results support the recommendations to use physical activity as
a powerful preventive measure against mental ill-health in the elderly.

 

"But regular physical activity is required, otherwise there is a great risk
of the long-term favourable effects on health being lost. It is therefore important to identify the typical barriers, such as depression, that prevent the elderly from being physically active and focus on how to increase the motivation of elderly people for physical activity," they emphasize.

 

Journal Reference:

The reciprocal relationship between physical activity and depression in older European adults: A prospective cross-lagged panel design using SHARE data.. Health Psychology, 2011;

 

University of Gothenburg (2011, November 1)
More years to life and life to years through increased motivation for an active life.

 

This article is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact your doctor or healthcare professional for medical and nutritional consultation.