Cross-sectional exercise-related differences in PTSD symptoms, psychological distress, physical pain, and sleep quality in trauma-exposed adults
PurposePsychological trauma can lead to PTSD which is associated with numerous negative health outcomes. Exercise has beneficial effects on PTSD; however, the amount of exercise associated with these benefits remains unknown. To examine self-reported exercise-related differences in PTSD symptom seve...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1445144/full |
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| author | Nicholas J. SantaBarbara Nicholas J. SantaBarbara Erica R. Checko Erica R. Checko Michelle M. Pebole James W. Whitworth James W. Whitworth James W. Whitworth James W. Whitworth |
| author_facet | Nicholas J. SantaBarbara Nicholas J. SantaBarbara Erica R. Checko Erica R. Checko Michelle M. Pebole James W. Whitworth James W. Whitworth James W. Whitworth James W. Whitworth |
| author_sort | Nicholas J. SantaBarbara |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | PurposePsychological trauma can lead to PTSD which is associated with numerous negative health outcomes. Exercise has beneficial effects on PTSD; however, the amount of exercise associated with these benefits remains unknown. To examine self-reported exercise-related differences in PTSD symptom severity, psychological distress, pain, and sleep quality in a national sample of trauma-exposed adults.MethodsParticipants completed online assessments of exercise participation, PTSD symptom severity, psychological distress, pain, and sleep quality. Exercise level was defined as Active (≥24 on the Godin-Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire [GLTEQ]), Insufficiently Active (1–23 on the GLTEQ), or Inactive (no reported exercise). MANCOVA was used to determine the relationship between exercise level (i.e., independent variable) and all outcomes (PTSD, distress, pain, sleep) with post hoc means comparison adjusted for age.ResultsParticipants’ (n = 500) mean age was 34.9 ± 13.0, and 68% were female. The overall model for exercise was significant, such that Active participants reported less PTSD symptom severity, psychological distress, and pain, and better sleep quality than Inactive participants.ConclusionMeeting the recommended amount of weekly physical activity with moderate-to-vigorous exercise is associated with better physical and mental health among trauma survivors. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm these cross-sectional findings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3483930d40bc481ba67f730f2f60f61a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-3483930d40bc481ba67f730f2f60f61a2025-08-20T02:07:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-06-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.14451441445144Cross-sectional exercise-related differences in PTSD symptoms, psychological distress, physical pain, and sleep quality in trauma-exposed adultsNicholas J. SantaBarbara0Nicholas J. SantaBarbara1Erica R. Checko2Erica R. Checko3Michelle M. Pebole4James W. Whitworth5James W. Whitworth6James W. Whitworth7James W. Whitworth8School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Merrimack College, North Andover, MA, United StatesTeachers College Columbia University, New York, NY, United StatesNational Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United StatesDepartment of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United StatesTranslational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United StatesTeachers College Columbia University, New York, NY, United StatesNational Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United StatesDepartment of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United StatesTranslational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United StatesPurposePsychological trauma can lead to PTSD which is associated with numerous negative health outcomes. Exercise has beneficial effects on PTSD; however, the amount of exercise associated with these benefits remains unknown. To examine self-reported exercise-related differences in PTSD symptom severity, psychological distress, pain, and sleep quality in a national sample of trauma-exposed adults.MethodsParticipants completed online assessments of exercise participation, PTSD symptom severity, psychological distress, pain, and sleep quality. Exercise level was defined as Active (≥24 on the Godin-Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire [GLTEQ]), Insufficiently Active (1–23 on the GLTEQ), or Inactive (no reported exercise). MANCOVA was used to determine the relationship between exercise level (i.e., independent variable) and all outcomes (PTSD, distress, pain, sleep) with post hoc means comparison adjusted for age.ResultsParticipants’ (n = 500) mean age was 34.9 ± 13.0, and 68% were female. The overall model for exercise was significant, such that Active participants reported less PTSD symptom severity, psychological distress, and pain, and better sleep quality than Inactive participants.ConclusionMeeting the recommended amount of weekly physical activity with moderate-to-vigorous exercise is associated with better physical and mental health among trauma survivors. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm these cross-sectional findings.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1445144/fullposttraumatic stress disorderphysical activityexercisemental healthsleeppain |
| spellingShingle | Nicholas J. SantaBarbara Nicholas J. SantaBarbara Erica R. Checko Erica R. Checko Michelle M. Pebole James W. Whitworth James W. Whitworth James W. Whitworth James W. Whitworth Cross-sectional exercise-related differences in PTSD symptoms, psychological distress, physical pain, and sleep quality in trauma-exposed adults Frontiers in Psychology posttraumatic stress disorder physical activity exercise mental health sleep pain |
| title | Cross-sectional exercise-related differences in PTSD symptoms, psychological distress, physical pain, and sleep quality in trauma-exposed adults |
| title_full | Cross-sectional exercise-related differences in PTSD symptoms, psychological distress, physical pain, and sleep quality in trauma-exposed adults |
| title_fullStr | Cross-sectional exercise-related differences in PTSD symptoms, psychological distress, physical pain, and sleep quality in trauma-exposed adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cross-sectional exercise-related differences in PTSD symptoms, psychological distress, physical pain, and sleep quality in trauma-exposed adults |
| title_short | Cross-sectional exercise-related differences in PTSD symptoms, psychological distress, physical pain, and sleep quality in trauma-exposed adults |
| title_sort | cross sectional exercise related differences in ptsd symptoms psychological distress physical pain and sleep quality in trauma exposed adults |
| topic | posttraumatic stress disorder physical activity exercise mental health sleep pain |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1445144/full |
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