Active Commuting and Depression Symptoms in Adults: A Systematic Review

Adilson Marques, Miguel Peralta, Duarte Henriques-Neto, Diana Frasquilho, Élvio Rubio Gouveira and Diego Gomez-Baya
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Adilson Marques: CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
Miguel Peralta: CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
Duarte Henriques-Neto: CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
Diana Frasquilho: Champalimaud Clinical Center, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
Élvio Rubio Gouveira: Departamento de Educação Física e Desporto, Universidade da Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
Diego Gomez-Baya: Escuela de Doctorado, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-11

Abstract: Physical activity (PA) is suggested to have a protective effect against depression. One way of engaging in PA is through active commuting. This review summarises the literature regarding the relationship between active commuting and depression among adults and older adults. A systematic review of studies published up to December 2019, performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, was conducted using three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). A total of seven articles were identified as relevant. The results from these studies were inconsistent. Only two presented a significant relationship between active commuting and depression symptoms. In those two studies, switching to more active modes of travel and walking long distances were negatively related to the likelihood of developing new depressive symptoms. In the other five studies, no significant association between active travel or active commuting and depression was found. The relationship between active commuting and depression symptoms in adults is not clear. More studies on this topic are necessary in order to understand if active commuting can be used as a public health strategy to tackle mental health issues such as depression.

Keywords: active travel; walking; cycling; mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:1041-:d:317458

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