Relationship between Depression Scores, Sleep Quality, Chronotype and Cardiorespiratory Fitness among Undergraduate Health Students

Abstract

Introduction: University students face challenges that impact both their physical and mental health. However, studies that integrate depressive symptoms, sleep quality, chronotype, and cardiorespiratory fitness remain scarce. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationships among these factors in a sample of university students. Materials and Methods: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depressive symptoms, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire by Horne and Östberg (1976), and the University of Montreal Track Test (UMTT) to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness. Results: The findings revealed a high prevalence of depressive symptoms (46.9%) and poor sleep quality (75.5%), as well as low cardiorespiratory fitness levels compared to population standards. A moderate negative correlation was identified between depressive symptoms and sleep quality (r = -0.524; p = 0.0002), reinforcing the reciprocal influence between mental health and sleep. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for multidimensional interventions that support both the psychological well-being and physical health of this population.