Leisure-time exercise is associated with lower depressive symptoms in community dwelling adults.

Physical activity has been associated with enhanced mental health among adults. However, it is not clear in the literature which domains (occupational, transport and leisure-time exercise) and intensities (moderate, vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous) of activity provide the greatest benefits. The aim of the present study was to describe the association of different domains and intensities of physical activity with depressive symptoms in adults. This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted among 209 adults (≥18 years) in Brazil. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the HADS questionnaire (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Physical activity intensities (moderate, vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous) were device-measured by accelerometry. Physical activity in different domains (occupational, transport, and leisure-time exercise) was self-reported using a questionnaire. Chronological age, ethnicity, body mass index, highest academic achievement, employment status, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, chronic morbidity and soft-drink ingestion were adopted as adjustment confounding factors. Linear regression analysis revealed that total self-reported physical activity [ß = -0.100 (95%CI: -0.180 to -0.019)] and leisure-time exercise [ß = -0.311 (95%CI: -0.468 to -0.155)] were negatively associated with depressive symptoms, but only leisure-time exercise remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors [ß = -0.243 (95%CI: -0.409 to -0.076)]. Thus, leisure-time exercise was cross-sectionally associated with lower depressive symptoms in community-dwelling adults.HighlightsLeisure-time physical activity was the only physical activity domain associated with lower depressive symptoms.This association appears to be independent of potential confounders.Potential interventions should focus on leisure-time domain.

Relationship between domains of physical activity and cardiac autonomic modulation in adults: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to analyze the relationship of physical activity in different domains with cardiac autonomic modulation in adults. A sample of 252 adults was randomly selected, with mean age of 42.1 (± 16.5) years, being 58% of women. Cardiac autonomic modulation was assessed through indexes of heart rate variability in time (SDNN, RMSSD) and frequency (LF, HF) domains for linear method, and by Poincaré plot for non-linear method (SD1, SD2 components). Domains of PA (occupation, sport, leisure time/commuting, and total) were assessed by Baecke's questionnaire. Variables of age, gender, socioeconomic status (questionnaire) and body mass index (objectively measures) were covariates. Occupational PA was positively related to LF (ß = 2.39, 95% CI 0.24; 4.54), sports PA was positively related to SDNN (ß = 3.26, 95% CI 0.18; 7.05), RMSSD (ß = 4.07, 95% CI 0.31; 7.85), and SD1 (ß = 2.85, 95% CI 0.11; 5.81), and leisure time/commuting PA was positively related to SDNN (ß = 3.36, 95% CI 0.28; 6.70) and RMSSD (ß = 3.53, 95% CI 0.46; 7.52) indexes. Total PA was related to RMSSD (ß = 1.70, 95% CI 0.04; 3.72). Sports, leisure time/commuting, and total PA were related to higher parasympathetic modulation, while occupational PA was related to higher sympathetic modulation to the heart in adults.

The relationship between physical activity intensity and domains with cardiac autonomic modulation in adults: An observational protocol study.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac autonomic modulation is an important marker of cardiovascular health and the practice of physical activity is a fundamental tool for good maintenance or increments in this marker. However, it is not clear in the literature whether different intensities and different domains of physical activity are related in the same way to cardiac autonomic modulation. OBJECTIVES: This randomized epidemiologic study will examine the relationship between cardiac autonomic modulation and different intensities and domains of physical activity in a representative sample of adults. METHODS: The sample of study will consist of 252 subjects aged from 18 years and above. The sample will be randomized through census sectors in which the neighborhoods, streets, and houses will also be randomized. Cardiac autonomic modulation will be assessed by heart rate variability and the intensity (mild, moderate, intense) of physical activity will be evaluated by means of accelerometers, while the different domains of physical activity (physical activity at work, occupational activities) will be evaluated through a questionnaire. The relationship between cardiac autonomic modulation and different physical activity intensities, as well as the different domains will be analyzed by linear regression, considering a statistical significance of 5% and a 95% confidence interval. This research protocol is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov at number NCT03986879.