Changes in Depression, Eating, Sleep, and Emotion Regulation in Air Force ROTC Cadets After the 12-wk STAR Training Program

Introduction: Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets must balance collegiate demands with military preparation, leaving them vulnerable to psychological stressors. While structured strength and conditioning (S&C) programs enhance physical readiness, their impact on psychological health in cadet populations remains unclear. This study evaluated changes in depression, eating behaviors, sleep quality, and emotion regulation during a 12-wk S&C program. Methods: Forty-nine U.S. Air Force ROTC cadets (21 female, 28 male; age: 20 ± 2 yr; body mass index: 24.2 ± 4.4 kg·m −2 ; body fat %: 27.1 ± 9.0%) completed the Supporting Tactical Athlete Readiness (STAR) program, a structured 12-wk S&C intervention. Assessments at baseline and postintervention included depressive symptoms, eating behaviors, sleep disturbance, and emotion regulation. Changes in these psychological parameters were analyzed in relation to program attendance and improvements in U.S. Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment scores to assess the effects of program dose–response and improved fitness, respectively. Results: Across all cadets, depressive symptoms, mood, and emotion regulation did not significantly improve. However, greater attendance and fitness improvements were independently associated with lower depression and improved mood. Male cadets demonstrated enhanced cognitive reappraisal, while female cadets reported worsening depression. Black cadets experienced greater increases in depression and sleep disruption compared with White cadets. Maladaptive eating behaviors rose overall but were attenuated among cadets with higher attendance. Sleep disturbance worsened, although cadets with fitness improvements reported fewer sleep problems. Program enjoyment and commitment were highest among underclassmen and less fit cadets. Conclusion: Structured S&C training did not uniformly improve psychological outcomes, but consistent attendance and fitness improvements were protective against depression, mood disturbance, and sleep disruption. The observed sex- and race-specific disparities, along with maladaptive eating behaviors, reinforce the need for tailored interventions that integrate physical training with mental skills, nutrition, and sleep strategies. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive, evidence-based S&C programs as resilience-building tools in military preparatory populations.