Being physically fit in childhood reduces the risk of depression in adulthood

Being physically fit during childhood and adolescence was associated with a lower risk of depression decades later. Scientists came to this conclusion after following study participants for more than 30 years. The results were published in the Journal of Affective Disorders (JAD).

The study included more than a thousand people whose physical fitness was first assessed between the ages of 7 and 15 years. Participants completed a 1.6-kilometer run to test endurance, a standing long jump to evaluate muscle strength, and other physical tests.

More than 30 years later, when the participants were between 36 and 49 years old, the scientists found out whether they had experienced depression. The strongest and most consistent relationship was found for cardiorespiratory endurance—the ability of the heart and lungs to supply the body with oxygen during physical activity.

People with better resilience in childhood had a lower risk of depression in adulthood. This connection was especially pronounced among women.

The authors emphasize that the study does not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. However, the results suggest that being physically fit in childhood may be a factor associated with mental health in adulthood.