[Physical fitness and depression symptoms in community-dwelling elderly women].

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between geriatric depression scale (GDS) score and elements of physical fitness in community-dwelling, healthy, elderly women in Japan.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved a total of 886 healthy elderly women (aged 265 years) living in Kyoto prefecture. Women voluntarily participated in physical performance tests. One-leg standing time, leg power, knee extension strength, grip strength, endurance capacity, trunk flexion, usual and maximal gait speed, chair stand, chair stepping, and functional reach were examined as fitness tests. A 15-item GDS and a battery of health status questionnaires were used to assess mental and physical health status.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 21.1% had a GDS score of > or = 5 and were categorized as the depression group (D group). Leg power, knee extension strength, endurance capacity, gait speed, and chair stepping ability were significantly lower in the D group than in the non-depression group (GDS score < 5; ND group). After adjustment for physical characteristics, eating habits, and physical activity levels as co-variances, leg power, knee extension strength, and endurance capacity remained significantly lower in the D group than in the ND group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A considerable number of active, healthy, elderly women who voluntarily participated in this study reported depressive symptoms. Reduced leg power, knee extension strength, and endurance capacity were associated with depressive symptoms independently of physical activity levels. These results suggest that exercise intervention to increase leg strength and endurance capacity may improve depressive symptoms in elderly women.