New research shows that people with low muscular and aerobic fitness are nearly twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety. The study by University College London researchers also found that people with low fitness levels showed a 60 percent greater chance of anxiety.
The study involved 152,978 participants who were admitted to the UK Biobank study. All participants were aged 40 to 69 years and had their baseline aerobic and muscular fitness tested at the start of the study. Stationary bikes with increasing resistance were used to test aerobic fitness levels along with grip strength tests for muscular fitness. Participants were also required to complete a questionnaire gauging anxiety and depression symptoms.
