Association Of Physical Activity With PTSD Diagnosis And Symptoms

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling condition that causes impairments in psychosocial and physical functioning. Prior research links PTSD to lower self-reported physical activity (PA) engagement. However, few studies have examined the impact of PTSD on objective measures of PA. PURPOSE: To examine associations of objectively measured PA with incidence of past PTSD diagnosis and severity of current PTSD symptoms (intrusion, avoidance, mood and cognitive, and hyperarousal symptoms). METHODS: A subsample of post-9/11 veterans (n = 33; age 48.4 ± 11.4 yrs; 88% male; 84% White) enrolled in a large longitudinal cohort study of veterans at the Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorder (TRACTS) who also provided objectively measured PA data. Veterans participated in 2 study visits separated by 2 weeks. Current PTSD symptoms were assessed at Visit 1 via self-report, participants were fitted with an accelerometer and instructed to wear it for 2 weeks. PTSD diagnostic history was collected from all participants in the TRACTS longitudinal cohort study 8.4 ± 4.3 yrs prior. Accelerometer wear time was evaluated using the Choi et al., 2011 algorithm. Valid data included ≥5 wear days, including ≥1 weekend day with ≥600 minutes of wear time/day. Troiano et al., 2008 intensity cut points were applied to the data (Light 100-2019; Moderate 2020-5998; Vigorous ≥5999 counts per minute). Data were analyzed with linear regression using mean total weekly PA (sum of daily average of Light, Moderate, Vigorous PA multiplied by 7) as the dependent variable and past PTSD diagnosis and current symptoms were modeled as independent variables. Models were adjusted for age, gender, race, and education. RESULTS: 97% (n = 32) of participants met wear time requirements. Past diagnosis of PTSD did not predict current PA (p > .05). Current PTSD symptom severity significantly predicted current PA. Specifically, greater avoidance (β = -.623; t = -2.16; p = .04) and hyperarousal (β = -.526; t = -2.14; p = .04) symptoms predicted lower current PA. CONCLUSION: Current avoidance and hyperarousal symptoms negatively impact PA, independent of past diagnosis of PTSD. Understanding which PTSD symptoms, even at subclinical levels, adversely impact a person’s ability to be physically active is informative for health professionals. JWW and the work for this project were funded by a Veterans Affairs Rehab Research & Development Career Development Award (5IK2RX003564-03).