Abstract
BackgroundSome research seems to suggest that physical activity (PA) was beneficial for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).AimThis study examined the association between levels of PA and PTSD among individuals 15 years and above in South Africa.SettingCommunity-based survey sample representative of the national population in South Africa.MethodsIn all, 15 201 individuals (mean age 36.9 years) responded to the cross-sectional South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) in 2012.ResultsOne in five (20.1%) of participants reported exposure to at least one traumatic event in a lifetime, and 2.1% were classified as having a PTSD, 7.9% fulfilled PTSD re-experiencing criteria, 3.0% PTSD avoidance criteria and 4.3% PTSD hyperarousal criteria. Almost half (48.1%) of respondents had low PA, 17.4% moderate PA and 34.5% high PA. In logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, population group, employment status, residence status, number of trauma types, problem drinking, current tobacco use, sleep problems and depressive symptoms, high PA was associated with PTSD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.75, confidence interval [CI] = 1.11–2.75), PTSD re-experiencing symptom criteria (OR = 1.43, CI = 1.09–1.86) and PTSD avoidance symptom criteria (OR = 1.74, CI = 1.18–2.59), but high PA was not associated with PTSD hyperarousal symptom criteria. In generalised structural equation modelling, total trauma events had a positive direct and indirect effect on PTSD mediated by high PA, and high PA had a positive indirect effect on PTSD, mediated by psychological distress and problem drinking.ConclusionAfter controlling for relevant covariates, high PA was associated with increased PTSD symptomatology.
Highlights
The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is significant and impacts morbidity and mortality.[1,2] Compared with the general population, individuals with PTSD are more likely to have low physical activity (PA).[3]
In logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, population group, employment status, residence status, number of trauma types, problem drinking, current tobacco use, sleep problems and depressive symptoms, high PA was associated with PTSD, PTSD re-experiencing symptom criteria (OR = 1.43, CI = 1.09–1.86) and PTSD avoidance symptom criteria
(OR = 1.74, CI = 1.18–2.59), but high PA was not associated with PTSD hyperarousal symptom criteria
Summary
The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is significant and impacts morbidity and mortality.[1,2] Compared with the general population, individuals with PTSD are more likely to have low physical activity (PA).[3] In a systematic review from eight studies, four consistently found associations with lower PA in individuals with ‘PTSD symptoms of hyperarousal’.3. LeardMann et al.[5] found that engaging in PA, high PA, decreased PTSD. All studies investigating levels of PA in relation to PTSD have been conducted in industrialised countries. Atwoli et al.[6] note that ‘trauma and PTSD-risk factors may be distributed differently in lower-income countries compared with high-income countries’. Some research seems to suggest that physical activity (PA) was beneficial for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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Schedule a callMore From: The South African journal of psychiatry : SAJP : the journal of the Society of Psychiatrists of South Africa
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