In this chapter aimed to focus on attitudes and physical activity levels for military-affiliated personnel. The first theme will review physical activity and exercise for veterans. Older veteran population is challenged with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), disability, mental and physical health the review will share knowledge about veterans and physical activity. The second theme will provide insight to physical activity and exercise for active duty personnel. Physical fitness testing, active duty women and weight control are topics of discussion for this theme. The third theme examines physical fitness and older adults. A clearer understanding of physical limitation, social and physical environments, and exercise intensity for older …show more content…
At some point, all soldiers will encounter the transition from military to civilian life and the changes that present challenges to those veterans and their families. As veterans age, they face a multitude of health issues and life challenges after leaving the service, including but not limited to, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), physical disabilities, weight gain and psychological issues. Physical activity and exercise is a positive approach to deal with this transition, as fitness contributes to overall health. Regular physical activity can be one of the most important factors for improved health for veterans with positive results in decreasing rates of obesity, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, and the risk for developing depression (Littman, Jacobson, Boyko, & Smith, 2015). Veterans who leave the military find life different and perplexing, however the transition is not the same for everyone. While on active duty, the military requires a structured physical fitness program, not much freedom or choice as to the level of intensity or duration. Physical fitness for active duty soldiers is tightly scheduled that physical training becomes an automatic behavior, but as soldiers transition out of the military, they are left to make their own choices to remain physically active. Choices may be the reason that some veterans find it difficult to put fitness back into their daily lives. Fitness activity levels will change for many veterans once military service ends, result from factors such as age, weight, psychological challenges, and physical conditions. Although, the military helps to establish fitness habits at a younger age, the challenge becomes to sustain a healthy fitness level when
“Today, it is common knowledge that exercise is the equivalent of a drug that prevents and treats cardiovascular disease (1).” Therefore, it is essential that individuals strive to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week. In today’s society, the end goal of exercise is often physical attractiveness rather than bodily health. The media is oversaturated with unrealistic ideals that push people to work towards dangerously low body weights. These ideals, however can only offer temporary satisfaction. The process of aging occurs in all individuals, regardless of fitness level. Physical attractiveness
The information presented from the two articles above can be supported by the article by Frueh and Stencel. Veterans ' experiences in war are likely to go beyond the instantaneous and physical effects, which may affect their entire lives. According to Frueh and Stencel, more than 2.2 million troops from the United States served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars (10). In the two wars, more than 6,600 troops from the United States lost their lives. Frueh and Stencel assert that a substantial percentage of veterans experience enormous difficulties while in transition. The use of statistics is helpful in elevating the quality of the article. They acknowledge that veterans are faced with far-reaching challenges in their effort to adjust to civilian life. For example, health problems- such as PTSD and traumatic brain injuries- are common among veterans. However, with high jobless rates and shrinking aid programs, these aren 't the best days to be
The leading psychological condition of a returning veteran is post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. The Mayo Clinic defines PTSD as a, “Mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.” PTSD has been known to affect the lives of many returned veterans as they try to re-enter into society. Some of the more common symptoms of PTSD include, “recurring memories or nightmares of the event(s), sleeplessness, loss of interest, or feeling numb, anger, and irritability (What is Post traumatic Stress Disorder).” This can really affect the way people live their day to day life. There are people who cannot go a whole day without having an episode or panic attack. Some can’t even be around other people without it triggering bad memories, making it impossible for them to leave their homes. Other complications of PTSD include, “Increase your risk of other mental health problems, such as: Depression and anxiety, issues with drugs or alcohol use, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts and actions (PTSD).” This disorder is more common than most may realize and is so commonly not diagnosed or treated due to how they felt their peers would see them or even the potential damage to their careers. Nbc news wrote that, “Only 38 percent to 40 percent of those who indicated
Another common health issue that commonly comes along with veterans is depression. More times the not depression can be cause from a painful experience such as a lost friend. Depression can sometimes not come immediately and is possible of coming out of the blue. While returning from deployment if is an individual has had friends lost or injured he or she might have strong feelings of guilt or regret. The survivors of these incidents my have lost trust in anyone and typically begin to remove themselves from social environments. Along with depression usually comes along either increase or decrease in weight due to change in appetite. These health problems can be the opener to a more broad range of further health issues including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even death. Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally (Who.int, 2015).
Mental illness is very common among men and women who serve in our military. According to American Psychiatric Association (2015), military men and women face unique challenges, including actively participating in war, being separated from their families and friends, and various other stressors that come with being deployed. These stresses can lead to anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and substance abuse following their return back home. Addition to mental health illnesses, military personnel during combat may also have encountered traumatic brain injury or multiple concussions. While few Veterans who experience traumatic brain injury do recover, others face long -term consequences that impair their physical and mental health (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2015).
A study was conducted to compare and contrast the health and activities of both veteran men and
Some military veterans can struggle with returning to civilian life after leaving the military. Both posttraumatic stress disorder and survivor’s guilt can make it harder for the veteran to return back into a civilian way of life. The facts indicate that due to the effects on soldiers and military veterans from them being in war or active
Soldiers who return home may not only have physical setbacks, but are mentally traumatized from what they have witnessed while serving our country. Veterans are more prone to be diagnosed with PTSD due to the combat they experience or witness on the field. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans has been prevalent for decades and there is still no known treatment option that has been found entirely effective. Many Vietnam veterans who never sought treatment due to the nonexistent “support for the troops” have been covering up their symptoms for approximately forty years. Countless soldiers return home without jobs and some feel like their whole world
Jakupcak et al. used a standardized protocol approved by both the University of Washington State and the VA to screen the multiple tours Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans who turned to the Washington State division of the VA during the time period of May 2004 to June 2005 (Jackupcak et al, 2007, p. 947). The subjects who participated in the study were 97% male and over 70% white, and an average age of about 33 years (Jackupcak et al, 2007, p. 947). The average number of years of education was close to 14, indicating mostly enlisted members whom completed some college at most (Jackupcak et al, 2007, p. 947). The sampling also indicated that about half the subjects were married, the other half were either single or divorced (Jackupcak et al, 2007, p. 947). Income levels suggest that 2/3 of participants are Non-Commissioned Officers or above (Jackupcak et al, 2007, p. 947). Approximately 80% of participants are Army or Army National guardsman (Jackupcak et al, 2007, p. 947).
This class has allowed me to refocus on working out and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I will take this back to my unit and stress the importance of maintaining your health. I will show them new ways they can work out in small areas and different types of cardio activities such as the interval run and the fit deck loop. Furthermore, I will inform them that maintaining their health is vital to maximizing their retirements.
California reported over 1.85 million veterans in September of 2014 and a large portion of these individuals suffers from a variety of disabilities, which requires them to need additional assistance in proper fitness activities (National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics [NCVAS], 2014, figure 2). There are several gyms, boot camps, and fitness centers across the nation, but what sets our facility apart from others is our ability
War is catastrophic; it breaks away at your sanity and your physical health. Most veterans are more than often described as “not the same person they left as” by family and friends. Being in the front lines changes you because of the cruelty and harsh conditions your body and mind face. “Over the past decade, about half a million veterans have received diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury. Thousands have received both,” states the New York Times. PTSD lives and breathes in veterans. Although it is a condition invisible to the naked eye, troops go to combat with it every day. “…At least 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have PTSD and/or Depression…” from the “…2.3 million troops who served in the Afghanistan war...“(Tanielian 321) fifty percent haven’t been
Ultimately, by psychologically reacting to stress, stress can trigger changes in behavior that can result in physiological and physical effects. According to McDevitt-Murphy, Williams, Bracken, Fields, Monahan, & Murphy (2010), veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom are at extremely high risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This may be due to the required longer deployments and quicker redeployment times along with the detrimental impact of combat. The men and women of the U.S. Army are held in high regard as they fight for the very freedom that we should be so honored to have within the United States. However, when their tour of duty is over, they must come home and adjust to civilian life.
Soldiers are impacted by their experiences in war however; surviving the challenges of war can be rewarding, maturing, and growth-promoting (e.g. higher self-efficacy, enhanced identity and sense of purposefulness, pride, camaraderie, etc.) on the other hand, demands, stressors, and conflicts of participation in war, could also be also be traumatizing for veterans, highly destructive, and cause change in potentially damaging ways; with significant impact to quality of life, well-being, and mental health (Department of Veterans Affairs). Indirect effects of combat veterans PTSD may also occur with family members (Berger, 2015). Writer will discuss combat veterans exposure to stressful events, mode of coping and impact on mental health.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is an important issue associated with military soldiers. There are many causes of PTSD and the effects it has on returning soldiers from the wars. PTSD is an anxiety disorder caused by a person’s exposure to live minatory, or otherwise traumatic conditions and someone with PTSD is continually living in fear of the worst. PTSD affects not only the rest of his/her life, but others close to him/her as well, and can break down a veterans' relationship with family and friends. The most symptoms include an emotional numbness, anxiety, feelings of guilt and depression that might turn chronic veterans may experience functional impairment. The most prevalent mental health disorders for veterans returning from the wars.