Effect of Concurrent Exercise Training on Stress, Depression and Anxiety in Inactive Academics: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of concurrent training (CT) on the mental health of inactive academics and examined associations between changes in stress (effort-reward imbalance and general stress), depressive symptoms and systemic inflammation. Fifty-nine inactive academics were randomly assigned to a CT (n = 29) or control (non-exercise) group (n = 30). CT performed supervised group training at an onsite facility 3 times per week for 14-weeks. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (job specific and general), and systemic inflammation (Interleukin-6 and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha) were measured pre and post intervention, and ecological momentary assessment of wellness measures was conducted before and during the last 2-weeks of the intervention. An effort-reward imbalance was evident before (CT, 1.26 +/- 0.37; control; 1.22 +/- 0.47) and after (CT, 1.16 +/- 0.31; control; 1.21 +/- 0.35) training, with no interaction effect (p > .05). Following CT, symptoms of depression decreased in the CT group (p = .009) with no change in control (p = .463). There were positive correlations between changes in stress and symptoms of depression (p < .05), but no relationship between changes in systemic inflammation and changes in stress or depression (p > .05). CT can decrease symptoms of depression in inactive academics despite the continued presence of an effort-reward imbalance. These findings may be important for universities aiming to improve the mental health of currently inactive academics.