Association between non-locomotive light-intensity physical activity and depressive symptoms in Japanese older women: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Aim This study aimed to examine associations between accelerometer-based intensity and type of physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms in older Japanese women. Methods In this cross-sectional study, data were obtained from 143 community-dwelling older Japanese women aged 65–86 years, and depressive symptoms were assessed based on self-reported scores of the Geriatric Depression Scale-15-J. PA was measured objectively using an accelerometer worn continuously for ≥10 h/day for 4 days, and average daily durations of light-intensity PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA), as well as type of PA (locomotive vs. non-locomotive), were examined. Results Depressive symptoms were present in 23 participants (19.1%). One-way Analysis of covariance revealed participants without depressive symptoms had a significantly higher non-locomotive LPA compared to those with depressive symptoms (357 ± 82 vs 298 ± 66 min/day, F = 9.69, p