Moving forward

The relationship between physical activity and post-deployment outcomes

Bibliographic Data

ID4228960
AuthorsVictoria O’connor (0000-0001-8922-2440, Salisbury VA Healthcare System, USA), Anna T Magnante (0000-0002-6489-8732, Salisbury VA Healthcare System, USA), Jared A Rowland (0000-0002-3655-3411, Salisbury VA Healthcare System, USA), Kellina M Craig (0009-0005-3313-0578, Salisbury VA Healthcare System, USA), Samantha Mecke (0000-0001-8340-9458, Durham VA Health Care System), Patrick S Calhoun (0000-0001-6739-6634, Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)-6 Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), USA), Eric A Dedert (0000-0003-1301-7058, Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)-6 Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), USA), Caitlin Fountain (0000-0002-0906-3476, Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)-6 Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), USA), Zoe Bridges-Curry (0000-0002-2897-8428, Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)-6 Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), USA), Va Mid-Atlantic Mirecc Workgroup, Sarah L Martindale (0000-0002-0059-3454, Salisbury VA Healthcare System, USA)
Year2025
Pages13591053251338615-13591053251338615
Publication date2025-06-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Health Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1359-1053 • E-ISSN: 1461-7277
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/13591053251338615
PMID40454795
OpenAlexW4410973669
LanguageEN
References cited56

Physical activity may be an important factor for understanding health and psychosocial outcomes following military service. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the association between physical activity and biopsychosocial outcomes in post-9/11 Veterans. We also evaluated the interaction of physical activity with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis and traumatic brain injury (TBI) history. Data were cross-sectional from 549 post-9/11 Veterans. Hierarchical linear regression models were used to investigate relationships between self-reported physical activity and biopsychosocial outcomes. Physical activity was significantly associated with better outcomes beyond PTSD and TBI, including depression ( B = −1.03), neurobehavioral symptoms ( B = −1.06), sleep quality ( B = −0.36), pain interference ( B = −0.18), and quality of life ( B = 1.38). Promoting physical activity could enhance mental and physical health in Veterans, independent of PTSD diagnosis or TBI history. Exercise programs may be particularly beneficial for addressing specific biopsychosocial concerns among Veterans

Biopsychosocial model · Mental health · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Quality of life (healthcare · Medicine · Occupational Health and Performance · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Clinical Psychology

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