BACKGROUND: The study investigated the association between knee joint muscle strength and the prevalence of depression in a cohort of young adults. METHODS: The observational, population-based study was performed with 909 participants (29.02 ± 2.03 years; 48.73% male) from the Central European Longitudinal Studies of Parents and Children: Young Adults (CELSPAC: YA), who were retained to analysis. Quadriceps and hamstring knee muscle strength were assessed by isokinetic dynamometry, and depression by Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Statistical comparisons (Mann-Whitney and Chi-squared test) and effect size analyses (Eta-Squared, and Odds Ratio) were conducted. RESULTS: The main findings revealed an inverse association between knee joint muscle strength and depression, with individuals who had low muscle strength having 3.15 (95% CI = 2.74-3.62) times higher odds of experiencing depression. Specifically, participants with low extensor strength had 4.63 (95% CI = 2.20-9.74) times higher odds, and those with low flexor strength had 2.68 (95% CI = 1.47-4.89) times higher odds of experiencing depression compared to those individuals with high muscle strength. Furthermore, gender-specific analyses revealed that males with low muscle strength had 2.51 (95% CI = 1.53-4.14) times higher odds, while females had 3.46 (95% CI = 2.93-4.08) times higher odds of experiencing depression compared to individuals with high muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS: Strong knee muscles seems to be a key factor in preventing depression, specially in female young adults. The results support the importance of promoting an increase in muscle strength through physical activity as a preventive strategy against depression in this population.

Department of Physical Activities and Health Sciences Faculty of Sports Studies Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

Department of Physical Education and Social Sciences Faculty of Sports Studies Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

Department of Sport Performance and Exercise Testing Faculty of Sports Studies Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

Faculty of Science RECETOX Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

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