Low maximal oxygen uptake is associated with elevated depressive symptoms in middle-aged men.
A low level of physical activity has been associated with depression, and increased physical activity has been found to have a positive effect on mood. However, the association between maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) and mood has been poorly studied. In this study VO(2max) (ml/kg per min) was measured in a sample of 1,519 men aged 46-61 years during a cycle ergometer test by using respiratory gas exchange. Men with a history of psychiatric disorder or serious physical illness were excluded. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 18-item Human Population Laboratory Depression Scale (HPL). Those who scored 5 or more in the HPL were considered to have elevated depressive symptoms. The participants were classified into quartiles according to the VO(2max). Those in the lowest quartile had a more than 3-fold (OR: 3.42; 95% CI: 1.65-7.09; p < 0.001) higher risk of having elevated depressive symptoms compared with those in the highest quartile, even after adjusting for several confounders (OR: 3.38; 95% CI: 1.60-7.14; p < 0.001). In conclusion, low VO(2max) is associated with having elevated depressive symptoms in middle-aged men.
Tolmunen
T
T
Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 1777, FIN-70211, Kuopio, Finland. tommi.tolmunen@kuh.fi
Laukkanen
J A
JA
Hintikka
J
J
Kurl
S
S
Viinamäki
H
H
Salonen
R
R
Kauhanen
J
J
Kaplan
G A
GA
Salonen
J T
JT
D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales