Greater physical activity at work was associated with depression risk
Across observational studies, people with the highest work-related physical activity had higher depression risk than those with the lowest activity. Causation remains unresolved.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Higher work-related physical activity was associated with greater depression risk in the pooled observational evidence. This answers a question about activity performed at work, rather than exercise in every setting. The association does not show that physical work causes depression, and the abstract does not explain which workplace circumstances might account for the pattern.
All included studies were observational. The abstract does not report follow-up durations or explain how potential confounding factors were handled, limiting causal interpretation.
What researchers found
Depression risk by occupational activity level
Highest versus lowest activity: pooled relative risk 1.25, 95% CI 1.12–1.40. Observation timeframes were not reported.
Reading the risk comparison
Relative risk compares the risk between groups; it does not give the absolute chance of depression for either group. The estimate therefore cannot tell an individual worker how likely they are to develop depression.
Context and measurement
Associations differed across population subgroups and depression assessment methods. Studies using questionnaires specifically designed to assess depression showed stronger associations than those using general mental health questionnaires, suggesting that measurement choices affected the pooled picture.
The original publication
Occupational physical activity and depression risk: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.
Park Y, An SY, Jeon JY et al.
J Affect Disord · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40738338
- Record checked
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