Relationship Between Post Traumatic Stress and Physical Fitness and the Impact of Army Fitness Policy on Post Traumatic Stress Prevention

<p>Increases in operation tempo since September 11 2001 have resulted in elevated rates of post traumatic stress (PTS) and reduced levels of physical fitness across the U.S. Army. This thesis sought to identify a relationship between the elevated PTS and decreased physical fitness as well as determine methods to invert both levels experienced by deployed Soldiers. Soldiers experience PTS symptoms when stress levels are not adequately managed resulting in anxiety. Physical training and exercise provide the parasympathetic response needed following stressful situations and increase Soldier resiliency through physical and mental hardiness. Soldiers located at company and battalion level operating bases are often denied the facilities time and training necessary to sustain the physical fitness levels developed in the garrison environment. This situation is compounded by U.S. Army policies that reduce the emphasis on physical training during and after deployments. These decisions by senior U.S. Army leadership have served to directly or indirectly reduce the potential for physical training and lowered fitness levels of deployed Soldiers. This thesis recommends modifications to U.S. Army policy establishment of unit level fitness experts and increased support to the small unit level operating bases in the form of equipment and funding.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>