Interrelations between Regular Physical Activity and the Level of Anxiety-Depressive State in a Human

Relevance. The steady deterioration of psychological well-being in the modern world represents a pressing concern for specialists across various disciplines. Physical activity levels are recognized as one of the key factors influencing psychological health. Research findings highlight the positive impact of regular exercise on psychological resilience. However, the extent to which any form of physical activity – not only intense but also minimal yet regular – can influence psychological wellbeing remains poorly understood.

Objective. The purpose of the study is to assess the degree of interrelations between a person’s regular physical activity and his or her levels of anxiety and depression.

Materials and methods. A study of interrelations between the level of physical activity and the levels of anxiety, stress, depression, somatization and autonomic disorders was conducted with the participation of 106 people, men and women, aged 18 to 56 years. The level of physical activity of the study participants was determined by taking readings from the applications installed by the study participants on phones and fitness bracelets, and the average number of steps taken per day for the last week before the start of the study was calculated. The psychological state of the respondents was assessed using the following methods: integrative anxiety test (ITT) (to identify hidden, masked anxiety and anxiety), a four-dimensional questionnaire to assess distress, depression, anxiety and somatization (Dutch Four-Dimensional Symptoms Questionnaire, 4DSQ) (to identify psychogenic factors of the nervous system – assessment of distress, depression, anxiety and somatoform disorders), a clinical questionnaire of neurotic conditions (to identify the main syndromes of neurotic conditions). The relationship between the indicators was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation method.

Results. The study revealed a statistically significant (p ≤ 0.01) negative correlation between the level of physical activity of a person and the level of situational and personal anxiety, stress, the level of somatization and autonomic disorders, as well as a significant (p ≤ 0.05) negative correlation between the level of regular physical activity and the level of depression. This pattern is relevant for all levels of regular physical activity for people of any age and gender.

Conclusion. The identified statistically significant (p ≤ 0.01) negative correlation between physical activity levels and situational and trait anxiety, stress, somatization, and autonomic disturbances, along with a significant (p ≤ 0.05) negative correlation with depression levels, indicates that lower levels of regular physical activity are associated with increased anxiety, stress responses, autonomic disturbances, somatization, and depression. These findings are relevant across all levels of regular physical activity. Moderate regular physical activity (7,500–10,000 steps per day) was associated with the absence of elevated parameters or pathological states. 

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