# Exploring the Effects of Exercise Training on PTSD Symptoms and Physical Health in Older Veterans with PTSD

> **NIH VA I01** · DURHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · —

## Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent among military Veterans, and affects over 30% of older,
Vietnam-era Veterans. These servicemembers have endured nearly 40 years with these symptoms, and as a
result, have significantly poorer health, higher rates of chronic disease and obesity, and an excess mortality
rate 3 times higher than the general population. Clearly PTSD is more than just a psychological disorder. There
is evidence to suggest that the pathway from PTSD to poor health is mediated by behavioral risk factors, such
as exercise. Structured exercise is a highly effective, pluripotent strategy for the prevention, treatment, and
management of chronic physical and psychological health conditions in older adults. To date, only a few pilot
studies of exercise and PTSD have been published, and all suffer a major limitation: a singular focus on
outcomes “above the neck.” These studies do not report the impact of exercise on physical health- and
mobility-related outcomes that contribute to long-term impairment and disability in Veterans with PTSD. There
have been no studies of exercise and PTSD done in older adults, representing a significant research gap. This
research examines a wellness-based approach to promoting health in older Veterans with PTSD, targeting
exercise, a major modifiable risk factor. The objective of this study is to compare the impact of a supervised
exercise program on PTSD symptoms and related health outcomes versus a healthy aging attention control
group (HA-ATC).
This study will be a randomized controlled trial of a 6-month, supervised exercise program among 188
Veterans ≥60 years of age with PTSD at the Durham VAHCS. Participants will be randomly assigned to
Supervised Exercise or HA-ATC. The exercise arm will include 3 weekly exercise sessions, each one lasting
approximately 60 minutes, led by an exercise specialist. The HA-ATC will receive a health education program
and materials modeled on the 10 KeysTM to Healthy Aging curriculum and the National Council on Aging’s
“Aging Mastery Program.” The HA-ATC will include an 8-week face-to-face group program followed by 4
monthly sessions, the latter of which will be further supplemented with mailed informational packets, email
newsletters, webinars, and group video telehealth sessions. Participants in the Exercise intervention arm will
receive an individualized exercise prescription based on the individual’s exercise history, current exercise
capacity, personal preferences, and current health status. This will be a multicomponent program that includes
a selection of 8 to 12 strengthening, balance, and flexibility exercises targeting the major muscle groups as
well as primary joints. Participants will also be instructed in endurance exercise, including treadmill walking or
recumbent bicycle. The exercise protocol will consist of a 5-10 minute warm-up, followed by a series of
progressive aerobic and strengthening exercises, and will end with a 5 minute cool-down. The...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10322646
- **Project number:** 5I01RX003120-03
- **Recipient organization:** DURHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Katherine Shepherd Hall
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-02-01 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10322646

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10322646, Exploring the Effects of Exercise Training on PTSD Symptoms and Physical Health in Older Veterans with PTSD (5I01RX003120-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10322646. Licensed CC0.

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