Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume 56, Issue 11 , Pages 1111-1117, November 2003

Depression decreases cardiorespiratory fitness in older women

  • Milton Hollenberg

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine, University of California–San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
    • Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 111C3, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 111C3, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121. Tel./fax: 415-752-6303.
    • ,
  • Tad Haight

      Affiliations

    • Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California–Berkeley, 140 Warren Hall #7360, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
    • ,
  • Ira B. Tager

      Affiliations

    • Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California–Berkeley, 140 Warren Hall #7360, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA

Accepted 15 May 2003.

Abstract 

Background

Depression is associated with decreased physical functioning and increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Whereas physical fitness delays all-cause mortality, little is known of the exercise capacity of depressed women.

Method

SPPARCS is a community-based longitudinal study of physical activity and fitness in people ⩾55 years. Of 1,246 women, 663 were free of known cardiac and cerebrovascular disease, and performed treadmill exercise. Most (71%) were interviewed and retested 2 years and 4 years later (55%). Two indicators of depression were used: (a) Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D) ⩾16; (b) use of antidepressant medication.

Results

By CES-D score, 8.4% had depressive symptoms (first round). Depressed women showed lower levels of all markers of treadmill exercise [exercise duration, peak VO2, Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope (OUES)].

Conclusions

Depression is associated with impaired physical fitness and treadmill exercise performance in older women.

Keywords: Depression, Exercise, Fitness, Physical activity, Oxygen consumption, Body composition

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PII: S0895-4356(03)00167-7

doi:10.1016/S0895-4356(03)00167-7

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume 56, Issue 11 , Pages 1111-1117, November 2003

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