Depression decreases cardiorespiratory fitness in older women

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 VO 2, Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope (OUES)]. Conclusions Depression is associated with impaired physical fitness and treadmill exercise performance in older women.