The relationship among different modes of physical activity and non-clinical depression

Recent evidence shows that any form of physical activity, not just aerobic activity to improve cardiovascular fitness, can have significant health benefits. However, physical inactivity is increasingly widespread. Recent health promotion has emphasised the value of integrating activity into daily life, yet popular attention continues to focus on sporting excellence and team sports. Findings from the Twenty-07 Study of people in early and late middle age living in the West of Scotland showed that sporting and team activities are rarely undertaken throughout adult life, especially among women and people from more disadvantaged circumstances. The activities that are most commonly taken up and sustained throughout later adult life are walking, swimming, social dancing, keep fit/aerobics and golf. These findings led us to suggest that physical activity promotion strategies should focus on activities which are the most likely to be sustained into adulthood.