Investigating the Relationship between Physical Activity Level and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography: The Role of Gender and Age

Document Type : Original Article/Open Access/ Released under (CC BY-NC 4.0) license

Authors

1 Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Sport Sciences, University of Qom, Qom, Iran

2 department of sport science, faculty of human science, university of Qom, Qom.Iran

Abstract

Purpose: Cardiovascular diseases represent a leading global cause of mortality, particularly challenging in developing nations. This study investigated relationships between physical activity (PA) levels and anxiety/depression symptoms in coronary angiography candidates, while examining age and gender roles.

Methods: Using a quantitative, descriptive-correlational design, we assessed 103 patients (50.5% male, mean age=60.86±8.99 years) from Qom, Iran (2023-2024). Standardized measures included the IPAQ-SF for PA and DASS-21 for psychological symptoms, analyzed via Pearson correlations and multiple regression (SPSS v27, p<0.05).

Results: Results revealed significant negative anxiety-PA associations (excluding vigorous exercise), strongest for moderate walking (β=-0.32, p<0.05). Conversely, depression showed positive correlations with total PA and moderate walking (β=0.28, p<0.05), suggesting PA's potential coping role. Age consistently negatively predicted all PA measures (p<0.01), most strongly for total PA (β=-0.41), aligning with known age-related activity declines. Gender differences approached significance only for vigorous activity (β=0.23, p=0.053), indicating possible intensity-based preferences.

Conclusion: These findings emphasize the need for personalized cardiac rehabilitation addressing: 1) anxiety as a primary PA barrier, particularly for moderate activities; 2) age-appropriate exercise prescriptions; and 3) potential gender-specific intensity preferences. The distinct anxiety/depression relationships with PA highlight the necessity for differentiated psychological approaches in cardiac care. While anxiety appears inhibitory, depression's positive association suggests compensatory PA use, requiring distinct clinical consideration.

Study limitations include its cross-sectional design and self-reported measures, suggesting future longitudinal studies with objective PA assessment. Nonetheless, these results provide compelling evidence for tailored rehabilitation programs that integrate psychological support with demographically-sensitive exercise recommendations. Such personalized interventions could significantly improve both physical activity adherence and mental health outcomes in cardiac patients, ultimately enhancing rehabilitation effectiveness and quality of life.

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Mind, Movement, and Behavior
Volume 5, Issue 1
March 2026
Pages 155-175

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 July 2025
  • Revise Date: 23 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 21 December 2025

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