Mood Emot.  2020 Mar;18(1):18-27. 10.35986/me.2020.18.1.18.

What Physical Activities Can Help You Feel Better?: Analysis Based on the 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

• Park SH
• Jae YM
• Jang SH
• Choi JH
• Lee GH

• KMID: 2525675
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35986/me.2020.18.1.18

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between exercise and depression based on responses to 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) and the Patient Health Questionairre-9 (PHQ-9). Specifically, this study examined which physical activities have the greatest effects in combating depression.
Methods
This study was based on data from 2016 KNHANES and responses to the PHQ-9 questionnaire on physical activity. We selected 2,245 people of age >19 years, who completed the surveys. Physical activity variables included number of days of walking, duration of walking, days of strength training, and aerobic physical activity. These variables subdivided into aerobic and muscle strengthening activities and their effects on depression were examined.
Results
All the variables, except duration of walking, were negatively correlated with the PHQ-9 scale scores. However, of the physical activity variables included in the hierarchical regression analysis, only the number of days of walking over 1 week had a statistically significant negative effect on the PHQ-9 scores.
Conclusion
For adults, aerobic activity (walking) had a greater effect on reducing depression than muscle strengthening activity. The frequency and consistency of walking had a greater impact than the duration of walks. These results suggest that regular walking is a better form of physical activity than strength training for its effect on mood and it assists in overcoming depression.

Keyword

Depression; Walking; Strength training