Physical activity correlates among older adults with probable generalized anxiety disorder: Results from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed physical activity (PA) correlates among 1237 (69.0% female; age ≥ 50 years) community-dwelling adults with probable-generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). METHODS: Wave 1 data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing were analysed. PA was measured using the short-form International PA Questionnaire. Probable-GAD caseness was indicated by a score of ≥23 on the abbreviated Penn State Worry Questionnaire. Potential correlates were analysed using binomial logistic regression. Hierarchical logistic regression consisting of three blocks (sociodemographic variables; quality of life (QoL) variables; physical health and performance variables) examined the proportion of the variance for PA that was explained at each step of the regression model. RESULTS: Five hundred thirty-five participants (43.2%) met PA guidelines. After adjustment for age and sex, younger age and being male were associated with increased likelihood of meeting PA guidelines. Significant correlates of PA were in employment, higher QoL (CASP-19), social connectedness, and grip-strength. Additionally, polypharmacy (i.e., taking ≥five medications), antidepressant use, at-risk waist circumference (i.e., Males: >94 cm; Females >80 cm), up-and-go time, and number of self-reported physical limitations were significantly negatively associated with meeting PA guidelines. Physical health and performance variables explained significant variation (8.4%) in meeting physical activity guidelines beyond that of sociodemographics, and QoL variables. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a range of sociodemographic, physical, and psychological variables that were associated with meeting or not meeting PA guidelines among older adults with probable-GAD.

Associations of physical activity with anxiety symptoms and status: results from The Irish longitudinal study on ageing.

AIMS: Anxiety is debilitating and associated with numerous mental and physical comorbidities. There is a need to identify and investigate low-risk prevention and treatment strategies. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between different volumes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) and anxiety symptoms and status among older adults in Ireland. METHODS: Participants (n = 4175; 56.8% female) aged ⩾50 years completed the International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ) at baseline, and the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline and follow-up (2009-2013). Participants were classified according to meeting World Health Organisation PA guidelines, and divided into IPAQ categories. Respondents without anxiety at baseline (n = 3165) were included in prospective analyses. Data were analysed in 2017. RESULTS: Anxiety symptoms were significantly higher among females than males (p < 0.001). Models were adjusted for age, sex, waist circumference, social class, smoking status and pain. In cross-sectional analyses, meeting PA guidelines was associated with 9.3% (OR = 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.78-1.06) lower odds of anxiety. Compared with the inactive group, the minimally- and very-active groups were associated with 8.4% (OR = 0.92, 0.76-1.10) and 18.8% (OR = 0.81, 0.67-0.98) lower odds of anxiety, respectively. In prospective analyses, meeting guidelines was associated with 6.3% (OR = 0.94, 0.63-1.40) reduced odds of anxiety. Compared with the inactive group, the minimally and very-active groups were associated with 43.5% (OR = 1.44, 0.89-2.32) increased, and 4.3% (OR = 0.96, 0.56-1.63) reduced odds of anxiety. The presence of pain, included in models as a covariate, was associated with a 108.7% (OR = 2.09, 1.80-2.42) increase in odds of prevalent anxiety, and a 109.7% (OR = 2.10, 1.41-3.11) increase in odds of incident anxiety. CONCLUSION: High volumes of PA are cross-sectionally associated with lower anxiety symptoms and status, with a potential dose-response apparent. However, significant associations were not observed in prospective analyses. The low absolute number of incident anxiety cases (n = 109) potentially influenced these findings. Further, as older adults may tend to experience and/or report more somatic anxiety symptoms, and the HADS focuses primarily on cognitive symptoms, it is plausible that the HADS was not an optimal measure of anxiety symptoms in the current population.

Associations of physical activity and depression: Results from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

Physical activity (PA) can protect against depression, but few studies have assessed whether meeting PA guidelines is sufficient, or if benefits can be derived from greater volumes of PA. The present study examines cross-sectional and prospective associations between different volumes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and walking, and depressive symptoms and status. Participants (n = 4556; 56.7% female) aged ≥ 50 years completed the International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ) at baseline and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale at baseline and two years later. Prevalence and incidence of depression were 9.0% (n = 410) and 5.0% (n = 207), respectively. After full adjustment, odds of prevalent depression were: 40% (OR = 0.60, 95%CI: 0.48-0.76) lower among those meeting PA guidelines; 23% (OR = 0.77, 0.49-1.21) and 43% (OR = 0.57, 0.45-0.73) lower among those in moderate and high categories, respectively; and, 22% (OR = 0.78, 0.61-1.01) and 44.0% (OR = 0.56, 0.42-0.74) lower among those in moderate and high walking tertiles, respectively. Odds of incident depression were: 23% (OR = 0.77, 0.58-1.04) lower among those meeting PA guidelines; 37% (OR = 0.63, 0.32-1.22) and 20.0% (OR = 0.80, 0.59-1.09) lower among those in moderate and high categories, respectively; and, 21% (OR = 0.79, 0.56-1.12) and 25% (OR = 0.75, 0.52-1.07) lower among those in moderate and high walking tertiles, respectively. Moderate and high volumes of MVPA were significantly associated with lower odds of concurrent depression, and significantly and non-significantly associated with reduced odds of incident depression, respectively. Meeting recommended levels of MVPA and walking were associated with significantly lower odds of concurrent depression, and non-significantly reduced odds of the development of depression over two years.

Meeting the international adolescent physical activity guidelines: a comparison of objectively measured and self-reported physical activity levels.

Objectively measured and self-reported physical activity levels were assessed among Irish adolescents (n=28) by heart rate monitor and self-report questionnaire. The purpose was to determine the percentage of Irish adolescents that met international physical activity guidelines using both objective and subjective measurements. More than 11% of subjects met the international moderate intensity physical activity guidelines for adolescents when measured by self-report questionnaire. No subjects met this guideline when measured objectively by heart rate monitor. Levels of agreement between the two measurements were poor (k < 0.40). When measured objectively by HR monitor, no adolescent met the international guidelines on sustained vigorous physical activity. Prevalence estimates for compliance with international physical activity guidelines varied according to mode of measurement. We conclude that compared to self-report measures, adolescent physical activity levels are lower than those required for health benefits when measured objectively, and only a minority of young people satisfy the international recommendations.