Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is a term we usually hear when someone experienced something traumatic, stressful and sometimes life changing situations. These people are then directed to a therapist and some other drugs. According to Brisbane Times, there is a study that says that exercise can be a treatment for PTSD.
The Queensland University of technology said that indeed they have findings that exercise can treat this kind of disorder. Robbie Mullins, an exercise physiologist at QUT designed a program for the current and former first responders, defense personnel, firefighters and the like. He said these people are the most prone to developing this trauma or disorder because of the nature of their job.
He added that this personalized exercise program is based on the findings that help structured this exercise. This can be augmented with care, improves the symptoms for people with the disorder, depression and it help lower down the risk of cardio-metabolic disease. They are looking at this exercise program as an addition to the psychological therapy and medication which can help people recover from PTSD.
People with this disorder suffer from anxiety, sleep disturbance, flashbacks and depression. This could result to unhealthy lifestyle choices, weight gain and cardiovascular disease. They are looking at the impact of exercise on their symptoms. Each participant's program includes aerobic activity and resistance training. Some of them have rehabilitation exercises for their injuries.
Initially there were 18 participants and none of them dropped out. Mullins said that one of the key things they realized was that each of their participants who agreed to join and have stayed in the program because they feel that somebody is there for them and they will not be abandoned or being taken advantage of.
The program is free for anyone who is eligible and for defense force personnel, emergency response sectors who was diagnosed with or at risk of PTSD or depression.
