On the Move: A Cross-Sectional Study on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Depressive Symptoms among Older People in Rural Portugal

In the field of gerontological health, depression is a major challenge that is often associated with decreased physical activity and an increase in sedentary behavior. This study explored these relationships in a sample of 54 non-depressed older adults (>= 60 years) from rural Portugal who were divided into two groups: that engaged in both self-initiated and structured physical activity, and the other that was limited to self-initiated activity only. Activity levels and depressive symptoms were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form and the Geriatric Depression Scale-27. The results showed a positive correlation between physical activity and depressive symptoms in the self-initiated activity group. In contrast, there were no significant differences in depressive symptoms in the structured activity group, suggesting a possible protective function of structured physical activity against depression. This study highlights the complex dynamics between physical activity, sedentary behavior and depressive symptoms in older adults and emphasizes the need for tailored intervention approaches. To further advance our understanding in this field, future research should focus on addressing the specific protective mechanisms of structured physical activity against depression and evaluating the long-term efficacy of such interventions in different older populations.