Table 2 Results of the 2 sample Mendelian randomisation analysis using MRLap for mental health outcome for all participants and stratified by sex. Results represent odds ratio or betas per standard deviation change in genetically instrumented physical activity

Exposure

Outcome

Strata

OR (95% CI)

P

 Physical activity

PGC-Depression

All

0.93 (0.88; 0.97)

1.58E − 03

 Physical activity

PGC-Anxiety

All

1.11 (0.84; 1.47)

4.75E − 01

Exposure

Outcome

Strata

OR (95% CI)

P

 Physical activity

Current depression

All

0.99 (0.93; 1.04)

5.91E − 01

Females

0.99 (0.92; 1.07)

8.37E − 01

Males

0.97 (0.89; 1.06)

4.81E − 01

 Physical activity

Lifetime major depression

All

1.00 (0.93; 1.08)

9.44E − 01

Females

1.01 (0.93; 1.10)

7.69E − 01

Males

0.99 (0.89; 1.09)

8.24E − 01

 Physical activity

Current anxiety disorder

All

0.95 (0.88; 1.03)

1.93E − 01

Females

0.96 (0.87; 1.06)

4.07E − 01

Males

0.94 (0.84; 1.04)

2.18E − 01

 Physical activity

Lifetime anxiety disorder

All

0.99 (0.92; 1.06)

7.99E − 01

Females

0.98 (0.89; 1.08)

6.78E − 01

Males

0.99 (0.89; 1.09)

7.64E − 01

Exposure

Outcome

Strata

Beta (SE)

P

 Physical activity

Well-being

All

0.11 (0.04; 0.18)

1.41E − 03

Females

0.12 (0.03; 0.21)

8.32E − 03

Males

0.09 (0.01; 0.18)

3.40E − 02

 Physical activity

Severity of major depression

All

 − 0.01 (− 0.09; 0.08)

8.68E − 01

Females

 − 0.03 (− 0.12; 0.07)

5.92E − 01

Males

0.02 (− 0.09; 0.13)

7.18E − 01

 Physical activity

Severity of current depression

All

 − 0.11 (− 0.18; − 0.04)

1.60E − 03

Females

 − 0.14 (− 0.22; − 0.05)

2.18E − 03

Males

 − 0.08 (− 0.17; 0.01)

7.67E − 02

 Physical activity

Severity of anxiety

All

 − 0.03 (− 0.10; 0.04)

3.65E − 01

Females

 − 0.08 (− 0.17; 0.01)

7.09E − 02

Males

0.04 (− 0.06; 0.13)

4.29E − 01

 Physical activity

Subjective well-being (GWAS)

All

 − 0.03 (− 0.18; 0.11)

6.74E − 01