Stability and change in latent movement behaviour profiles during adolescence and links with future depressive symptoms

Abstract Movement behaviours are known to influence long-term health and wellbeing. During adolescence, daily movement diminishes while depressive symptoms increase. The principle of time displacement dictates that when awake, altering time spent in one movement state (i.e., Sedentary, Light Physica...

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Main Authors: Christopher Knowles, Gavin Breslin, Angela Carlin, Kyle Paradis, Stephen Shannon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04466-7
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author Christopher Knowles
Gavin Breslin
Angela Carlin
Kyle Paradis
Stephen Shannon
author_facet Christopher Knowles
Gavin Breslin
Angela Carlin
Kyle Paradis
Stephen Shannon
author_sort Christopher Knowles
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Movement behaviours are known to influence long-term health and wellbeing. During adolescence, daily movement diminishes while depressive symptoms increase. The principle of time displacement dictates that when awake, altering time spent in one movement state (i.e., Sedentary, Light Physical Activity or Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity) necessarily alters time spent in others, yet few studies examine daily movement behaviour using composite behavioural profiles. The current study used Random Intercepts Latent Transition Analysis (RI-LTA) to: identify latent profiles of movement behaviour age 12, 14 and 16; examine transition probabilities and predictors; and assess whether transition patterns contributed to depressive symptoms age 18 and 22. Data were drawn from 4,964 participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and their Children. Movement behaviours were assessed via Actigraph (AM7164-2.2) accelerometery; depressive symptoms via the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire. A 3 × 3 non-invariant RI-LTA model fit the data well (BIC = 410417; Entropy = 0.902) distinguishing Maximal-, Moderate-, and Minimal-Movers. Once accounting for non-invariance (i.e., that all profiles moved less over time), the Moderate-Mover profile presented as highly stable across adolescence. Females, and those with higher BMI and more educated parents were likely to transition to profiles characterised by lesser movement. Transition patterns containing a period of minimal movement predicted worse depressive symptoms at ages 18 and 22. Notably, maximal movement age 12 conferred protection against depressive symptoms age 22, even when followed by later declines. Findings highlight the value of maximising movement early, underscoring the importance of early intervention strategies to promote movement and reduce young peoples’ depressive symptoms long-term.
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spelling doaj-art-ad449bef29694200b7b37b7b9f80b8d02025-08-20T03:38:15ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-04466-7Stability and change in latent movement behaviour profiles during adolescence and links with future depressive symptomsChristopher Knowles0Gavin Breslin1Angela Carlin2Kyle Paradis3Stephen Shannon4Manchester Institute of Education, University of ManchesterSchool of Psychology, Queen’s University BelfastSport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, School of Sport and Exercise Science, Ulster UniversitySport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, School of Sport and Exercise Science, Ulster UniversitySport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, School of Sport and Exercise Science, Ulster UniversityAbstract Movement behaviours are known to influence long-term health and wellbeing. During adolescence, daily movement diminishes while depressive symptoms increase. The principle of time displacement dictates that when awake, altering time spent in one movement state (i.e., Sedentary, Light Physical Activity or Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity) necessarily alters time spent in others, yet few studies examine daily movement behaviour using composite behavioural profiles. The current study used Random Intercepts Latent Transition Analysis (RI-LTA) to: identify latent profiles of movement behaviour age 12, 14 and 16; examine transition probabilities and predictors; and assess whether transition patterns contributed to depressive symptoms age 18 and 22. Data were drawn from 4,964 participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and their Children. Movement behaviours were assessed via Actigraph (AM7164-2.2) accelerometery; depressive symptoms via the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire. A 3 × 3 non-invariant RI-LTA model fit the data well (BIC = 410417; Entropy = 0.902) distinguishing Maximal-, Moderate-, and Minimal-Movers. Once accounting for non-invariance (i.e., that all profiles moved less over time), the Moderate-Mover profile presented as highly stable across adolescence. Females, and those with higher BMI and more educated parents were likely to transition to profiles characterised by lesser movement. Transition patterns containing a period of minimal movement predicted worse depressive symptoms at ages 18 and 22. Notably, maximal movement age 12 conferred protection against depressive symptoms age 22, even when followed by later declines. Findings highlight the value of maximising movement early, underscoring the importance of early intervention strategies to promote movement and reduce young peoples’ depressive symptoms long-term.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04466-7ALSPACAdolescenceDepressive symptomsLatent transition analysisLight physical activityMixture modelling
spellingShingle Christopher Knowles
Gavin Breslin
Angela Carlin
Kyle Paradis
Stephen Shannon
Stability and change in latent movement behaviour profiles during adolescence and links with future depressive symptoms
Scientific Reports
ALSPAC
Adolescence
Depressive symptoms
Latent transition analysis
Light physical activity
Mixture modelling
title Stability and change in latent movement behaviour profiles during adolescence and links with future depressive symptoms
title_full Stability and change in latent movement behaviour profiles during adolescence and links with future depressive symptoms
title_fullStr Stability and change in latent movement behaviour profiles during adolescence and links with future depressive symptoms
title_full_unstemmed Stability and change in latent movement behaviour profiles during adolescence and links with future depressive symptoms
title_short Stability and change in latent movement behaviour profiles during adolescence and links with future depressive symptoms
title_sort stability and change in latent movement behaviour profiles during adolescence and links with future depressive symptoms
topic ALSPAC
Adolescence
Depressive symptoms
Latent transition analysis
Light physical activity
Mixture modelling
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04466-7
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