title: Exercise and depression in midlife: a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the relationship of self-reported physical activity with subsequent depression and psychiatric distress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical activity was assessed in medical school and midlife in 973 physicians as part of a prospective observational study. Outcome measures were the incidence of self-reported clinical depression and psychiatric distress on the General Health Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The risk of depression was similar for nonexercisers and exercisers. No relationship was observed between physical activity level and subsequent psychiatric distress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found no evidence that exercise reduces risk for depression or psychiatric distress.
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cooper-Patrick
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mead
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Klag
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires