The higher the income, the more people engage in physical activities such as walking, aerobic exercise, and strength training. (Image courtesy of GoodFon/CCL)
SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Korea Bizwire) — Regular physical activity sustained over time can significantly reduce the risk of depressive symptoms, according to a large-scale Korean study that underscores the mental health benefits of even moderate exercise.
Researchers at the National Institute of Health, under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, analyzed data from 19,112 adults aged 40 to 82 who participated in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Their findings were published Wednesday in a peer-reviewed academic journal.
The study found that people who engaged in physical activity had a markedly lower risk of depressive symptoms than those who did not exercise at all, with the degree of risk reduction varying by type of activity.
Participation in sports activities involving rules and competition was associated with a 46 percent lower risk of depressive symptoms, while strength training and aerobic exercise reduced the risk by 40 percent and 41 percent, respectively. Walking alone was linked to a more modest, but still meaningful, 19 percent reduction.
People working out at a gym. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Duration and consistency proved to be critical. Across all exercise types, the protective effect against depressive symptoms became significantly stronger when participants exercised for at least 150 minutes a week and maintained the routine for a year or longer.
Among those who met that threshold, sports activities were associated with up to a 57 percent reduction in risk, while walking alone lowered the risk by 31 percent. By contrast, exercise maintained for less than a year did not produce statistically significant benefits.
The researchers emphasized that the findings carry important implications for older adults and others who may find high-intensity exercise difficult. “For people who cannot easily engage in strenuous activity, consistent walking can be a highly effective alternative for preventing depression,” the research team said, adding that combining aerobic exercise, strength training and sports can further amplify mental health benefits.
The results arrive as South Korea continues to grapple with rising concerns over mental health among its aging population, highlighting exercise as a low-cost, accessible strategy for long-term depression prevention.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
