Associations of physical performance and physical activity with mental well-being in middle-aged women

Dmitriy Bondarev,Vuokko Kovanen,Eija K Laakkonen,Taija Finni,Pauliina Aukee,Sarianna Sipilä,Katja Kokko,Urho M Kujala

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-11485-2

Dmitriy Bondarev, Vuokko Kovanen + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11485-2

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Abstract

BackgroundTo investigate whether physical performance is independently of physical activity (PA) associated with positive and negative dimensions of mental well-being in middle-aged women.MethodsData were drawn from the Estrogenic Regulation of Muscle Apoptosis (ERMA) study in which women 47 to 55 years were randomly selected from the Finnish National Registry. They (n = 909) participated in measurements of physical performance (handgrip force, knee extension force, vertical jumping height, maximal walking speed, and six-minute walking distance). Both mental well-being (the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form and the Satisfaction with Life Scale) and PA were self-reported. Associations between variables were analysed using multivariate linear regression modelling adjusted for body height, fat mass %, menopausal status and symptoms, marital status, parity, employment status, self-reported mental disorders, and use of psycholeptics and psychoanaleptics. PA was then entered into a separate model to explore its role in the associations.ResultsIn the adjusted models, significant positive associations of six-minute walking distance with positive affectivity (B = 0.12, p = 0.002) and life satisfaction (B = 0.15, p = 0.033) were observed. No significant associations were observed between physical performance and depressive symptoms or negative affectivity. PA was positively associated with positive affectivity and life satisfaction and negatively with depressive symptoms across all the physical performance variables.ConclusionsOf the physical performance dimensions, aerobic component was associated with positive mental well-being independently of PA level. In relation to other physical performance components, the results point to the benefits of physical activity for mental well-being.

Highlights

To investigate whether physical performance is independently of physical activity (PA) associated with positive and negative dimensions of mental well-being in middle-aged women
Menopausal status was measured based on monthly self-reported bleeding patterns and serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations according to the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW) recommendations [25]
The results indicate that the link between physical performance and depressive symptoms found in our participants may be explained by level of physical activity

Summary

Introduction

To investigate whether physical performance is independently of physical activity (PA) associated with positive and negative dimensions of mental well-being in middle-aged women. The physical performance of more physically active middle-aged women is greater than that of less physically active peers [11]. Since physical activity in middleaged women is beneficially associated with both positive mental well-being [12, 13] and greater physical performance, mental well-being may be higher in better physically performing middle-aged women. FSH measurements were conducted from fasting serum samples which were collected between 8:00 and 10:00 AM. For women in their menstrual cycle, the collection was performed during cycle days 1 to 5. Systemic FSH was measured using solid-phase, enzyme-labeled chemiluminescent competitive immunoassay (IMMULITE 2000 XPi, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, UK)

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