Physical Activity Is Associated With Lower Long-Term Incidence of Anxiety in a Population-Based, Large-Scale Study
Physical activity may prevent anxiety, but the importance of exercise intensity, sex-specific mechanisms, and duration of the effects remains largely unknown. We used an observational study design to follow 395,369 individuals for up to 21 years to investigate if participation in an ultralong-distan...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.714014/full |
| _version_ | 1818730721539260416 |
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| author | Martina Svensson Lena Brundin Sophie Erhardt Ulf Hållmarker Ulf Hållmarker Stefan James Tomas Deierborg |
| author_facet | Martina Svensson Lena Brundin Sophie Erhardt Ulf Hållmarker Ulf Hållmarker Stefan James Tomas Deierborg |
| author_sort | Martina Svensson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Physical activity may prevent anxiety, but the importance of exercise intensity, sex-specific mechanisms, and duration of the effects remains largely unknown. We used an observational study design to follow 395,369 individuals for up to 21 years to investigate if participation in an ultralong-distance cross-country ski race (Vasaloppet, up to 90 km) was associated with a lower risk of developing anxiety. Skiers in the race and matched non-skiers from the general population were studied after participation in the race using the Swedish population and patient registries. Skiers (n = 197,685, median age 36 years, 38% women) had a significantly lower risk of developing anxiety during the follow-up compared to non-skiers (adjusted hazard ratio, HR 0.42). However, among women, higher physical performance (measured as the finishing time to complete the race, a proxy for higher exercise dose) was associated with an increased risk of anxiety compared to slower skiing women (HR 2.00). For men, the finishing time of the race did not significantly impact the risk of anxiety. Our results support the recommendations of engaging in physical activity to decrease the risk of anxiety in both men and women. The impact of physical performance level on the risk of anxiety requires further investigations among women. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T23:06:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2fc9066ef759493f91851a4032d1ce56 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T23:06:17Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-2fc9066ef759493f91851a4032d1ce562022-12-21T21:29:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402021-09-011210.3389/fpsyt.2021.714014714014Physical Activity Is Associated With Lower Long-Term Incidence of Anxiety in a Population-Based, Large-Scale StudyMartina Svensson0Lena Brundin1Sophie Erhardt2Ulf Hållmarker3Ulf Hållmarker4Stefan James5Tomas Deierborg6Experimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, SwedenCenter for Neurodegenerative Sciences, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MN, United StatesDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, SwedenDepartment of Medical Sciences, Cardiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenDepartment of Internal Medicine, Mora Hospital, Mora, SwedenDepartment of Medical Sciences, Cardiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenExperimental Neuroinflammation Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, SwedenPhysical activity may prevent anxiety, but the importance of exercise intensity, sex-specific mechanisms, and duration of the effects remains largely unknown. We used an observational study design to follow 395,369 individuals for up to 21 years to investigate if participation in an ultralong-distance cross-country ski race (Vasaloppet, up to 90 km) was associated with a lower risk of developing anxiety. Skiers in the race and matched non-skiers from the general population were studied after participation in the race using the Swedish population and patient registries. Skiers (n = 197,685, median age 36 years, 38% women) had a significantly lower risk of developing anxiety during the follow-up compared to non-skiers (adjusted hazard ratio, HR 0.42). However, among women, higher physical performance (measured as the finishing time to complete the race, a proxy for higher exercise dose) was associated with an increased risk of anxiety compared to slower skiing women (HR 2.00). For men, the finishing time of the race did not significantly impact the risk of anxiety. Our results support the recommendations of engaging in physical activity to decrease the risk of anxiety in both men and women. The impact of physical performance level on the risk of anxiety requires further investigations among women.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.714014/fullexercisepsychiatric disordersmental healthwomenmenlong-term effect |
| spellingShingle | Martina Svensson Lena Brundin Sophie Erhardt Ulf Hållmarker Ulf Hållmarker Stefan James Tomas Deierborg Physical Activity Is Associated With Lower Long-Term Incidence of Anxiety in a Population-Based, Large-Scale Study Frontiers in Psychiatry exercise psychiatric disorders mental health women men long-term effect |
| title | Physical Activity Is Associated With Lower Long-Term Incidence of Anxiety in a Population-Based, Large-Scale Study |
| title_full | Physical Activity Is Associated With Lower Long-Term Incidence of Anxiety in a Population-Based, Large-Scale Study |
| title_fullStr | Physical Activity Is Associated With Lower Long-Term Incidence of Anxiety in a Population-Based, Large-Scale Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physical Activity Is Associated With Lower Long-Term Incidence of Anxiety in a Population-Based, Large-Scale Study |
| title_short | Physical Activity Is Associated With Lower Long-Term Incidence of Anxiety in a Population-Based, Large-Scale Study |
| title_sort | physical activity is associated with lower long term incidence of anxiety in a population based large scale study |
| topic | exercise psychiatric disorders mental health women men long-term effect |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.714014/full |
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