The Psychosocial effects of physical activity on military veterans that are wounded, injured, and/or sick: a narrative synthesis systematic review of quantitative evidence
Abstract
Physical activity (PA) for military veterans that are wounded, injured and/or sick (WIS) is becoming increasingly recognized as an advantageous method of increasing wellbeing. A narrative synthesis approach was used to systematically review current quantitative evidence exploring the psychological effects of PA on veterans that are WIS. Key databases were searched resulting in the inclusion of 19 studies. PA was shown to have a positive effect on post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, social wellbeing, sleep quality, perceived functional impairment, participant mindfulness, and positive/negative affect; with improvements in stress, social well-being, and positive/negative effect being greater among veterans that are WIS with lower health statuses. After comparing PA types, outdoor recreation appeared to more consistently reduce PTSD symptoms post-intervention; whereas, yoga and horse riding were more effective in reducing anxiety and stress. Furthermore, where significant others were included in PA interventions/programs for veterans that are WIS, longer-lasting benefits have been reported. However, in line with other reviews in this area, the methodological weaknesses of current research and non-standardized delivery of PA interventions limits the generalisability of the findings of this review.
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Eight reviews evaluated exercise-based interventions in the time following injury and reported distress-related outcomes.
“Eight reviews evaluated exercise-based interventions in the time following injury and reported distress-related outcomes (online supplemental table 1).8390”
From Impact of healthcare interventions on distress following acute musculoskeletal/orthopaedic injury: A scoping review of systematic reviews (2024) · cites this paper as [90]
The remaining five exercise-based reviews included studies evaluating different types of exercise-based interventions (home exercise programmes, weight training, supervised exercise sessions, therapeutic recreation, adventurous training and sports and outdoor activity training) and the distress-related outcomes reported in these reviews were mixed.
“The remaining five reviews included studies evaluating different types of exercise-based interventions (home exercise programmes, weight training, supervised exercise sessions, therapeutic recreation, adventurous training and sports and outdoor activity training) and the distress-related outcomes reported in these reviews were mixed.8690”
From Impact of healthcare interventions on distress following acute musculoskeletal/orthopaedic injury: A scoping review of systematic reviews (2024) · cites this paper as [90]
When distress-related outcomes were reported in these systematic reviews, they were typically reported to improve.
“Notably, when distress-related outcomes were reported in these systematic reviews, however, they were typically reported to improve.838587 90 91 93 96 98”
From Impact of healthcare interventions on distress following acute musculoskeletal/orthopaedic injury: A scoping review of systematic reviews (2024) · cites this paper as [90]
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- Authors
- Walker, R. A. J., Smith, P. M., Limbert, C., & Colclough, M.
- Affiliations
- Cardiff Metropolitan University (GB)
- Help for Heroes: United Kingdom Armed Forces and Military Veterans Charity, Tidworth, UK
- Corresponding author
- Walker, Robert A. J.
- Venue
- Military Behavioral Health
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2020-04-14
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 292-307
- ISSN
- 2163-5781 (ISSN-L)
- 2163-5803
- OpenAlex
- W3016512019
- Cited by
- 12
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 0.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Military Behavioral Health (publishedVersion)
- Cardiff Metropolitan Research Repository (Cardiff Metropolitan University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- European Social Fund’s Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Keywords
- physical activity, military veterans, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, social well-being, sleep quality, mindfulness, outdoor recreation, yoga, horseback riding, psychosocial well-being
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