Markers of stress and inflammation as potential mediators of the relationship between exercise and depressive symptoms: Findings from the TRAILS study |
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| Authors: | Sanne H Booij Elisabeth H Bos Peter de Jonge Albertine J Oldehinkel |
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| Affiliation: | Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | The hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis, autonomic nervous system, and immune system have been proposed to underlie the antidepressant effect of exercise. Using a population sample of 715 adolescents, we examined whether pathways from exercise to affective and somatic symptoms of depression were mediated by these putative mechanisms. Exercise (hours/week) and depressive symptoms were assessed at age 13.5 (± 0.5) and 16.1 (± 0.6). Cortisol and heart rate responses to a standardized social stress test and C‐reactive protein levels were measured at age 16. Exercise was prospectively and inversely related to affective (B = ?0.16, 95% CI = ?0.30 to ?0.03) but not somatic symptoms (B = ?0.04, 95% CI = ?0.21 to 0.13). Heart rate during social stress partially mediated this relationship (B = ?0.03, 95% CI = ?0.07 to ?0.01). No other mediating effects were found. Hence, the autonomic stress system may play a role in the relationship between exercise and depressive symptoms. |
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| Keywords: | Depression Physical activity Cortisol Heart rate Adolescents C‐reactive protein |
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