In examining the effects of physical activity on depression, Dr. William J. Strawbridge and colleagues of the Public Health Institute, Berkeley, California, studied 1547 persons both with and without disabilities, ages 50-94 at baseline from the Alameda County Study for five years. After adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, financial strain, chronic conditions, disability, body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking, and social relations, they found that physical activity was protective for both prevalent and incident depression.

In an interview with Reuters Health, Dr. Strawbridge said that "regular physical activity, such as walking, exercising, swimming, or playing active sports for older adults will reduce the risk of subsequent depression. This benefit is similar for those with and without physical disabilities."

Read the complete article: Strawbridge, W.J., Deleger, S., Roberts, R.E. (2002). Physical activity reduces the risk of subsequent depression for older adults. American Journal of Epidemiology, 156 (4): 328-334.