Evaluation of physical activity habits in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, we present data from a survey that aimed to assess the physical activity habits of adult Brazilian patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.


METHODS
Fifty male and female patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder participated in this study. The mean age at onset was 37+/-12 years, and the mean time between diagnosis and follow-up was 3.6+/-4.2 years.


RESULTS
Substantial changes in physical activity habits were observed following the onset of PTSD. While more than half of the patients participated in physical activities prior to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder onset, there was a significant reduction in their participation afterwards. The justifications for stopping physical activities or sport participation were lack of time and lack of motivation.


CONCLUSIONS
Several studies have shown that physical exercise decreases reverts symptoms of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and social isolation. We could therefore hypothesize that patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder who exercise should experience the same benefits.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrated that patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder have low levels of participation in sports or physical activities.
de Assis
Marcio Antonio
MA
Laboratório de Neurociências, Núcleo de Pesquisas Tecnológicas, Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
de Mello
Marcelo Feijó
MF
Scorza
Fulvio Alexandre
FA
Cadrobbi
Mariana Pupo
MP
Schooedl
Aline Ferii
AF
Gomes da Silva
Sergio
S
de Albuquerque
Marly
M
da Silva
Antonio Carlos
AC
Arida
Ricardo Mario
RM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological