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2 min readadjunct therapy

Exercise Reduces PTSD Symptoms – New Review

Moderate aerobic exercise offers meaningful relief from PTSD symptoms, according to a recent meta-analysis of randomised trials.

Group exercising on forest trail at dawn, evoking PTSD recovery through nature and movement, with neural motifs.
Group exercising on forest trail at dawn, evoking PTSD recovery through nature and movement, with neural motifs.

A systematic review published in 2024 has found that aerobic exercise can significantly reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly hyperarousal and avoidance behaviours.“Aerobic exercise showed a moderate effect size in reducing PTSD symptoms overall,” the authors note.(1)

The analysis pooled data from 22 randomised controlled trials involving over 1,000 participants, many of whom were military veterans. Moderate-intensity activities, such as walking, jogging, or cycling for 30-60 minutes three times weekly, yielded the strongest benefits. Participants experienced improvements in sleep, mood, and intrusive thoughts after 8-12 weeks.(2) This aligns with neurobiological evidence that exercise boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), promoting hippocampal growth and dampening amygdala overactivity common in PTSD.(3)

In Australia, where an estimated 12% of veterans live with PTSD, such interventions hold particular promise for rural and remote communities.(4) Experts opine that exercise serves as a low-cost, scalable adjunct to therapies like cognitive processing therapy, especially amid waitlists for specialist care. One trial in Sydney veterans showed combined aerobic and resistance training cut CAPS-5 scores by 25% more than therapy alone.(5)

Comorbid conditions also improved; depression scores dropped alongside PTSD, and substance use cravings lessened in those with dual diagnoses.(6) However, adherence remains a challenge, with dropout rates around 20% linked to initial fatigue – a barrier phase-based programs could address by starting with yoga or walking groups.(7)

Australian organisations like the Returned & Services League (RSL) are incorporating these findings into wellness programs. A pilot at RSL clubs offers guided bushwalks, reporting high satisfaction.(8) While not a standalone cure, experts agree exercise empowers self-management. Future research may explore tailoring intensity via wearables for personalised gains.

This review underscores exercise’s role in holistic PTSD care, bridging physical and mental health without replacing evidence-based psychotherapies.