Comparing the Effects of Different Types of Physical Activity on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Alleviation

Abstract

Background: Physical activity has been increasingly recognized for its therapeutic potential in managing PTSD symptoms. This literature review compares the effects of three physical activity types—aerobic exercise, resistance training, and yoga—on specific PTSD symptom clusters, including hyperarousal, avoidance, reexperiencing, and mood disturbances. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of aerobic exercise, yoga, and resistance training in alleviating key PTSD symptoms and identify the most beneficial activity for PTSD management. Methods: A systematic review of studies published from 2000 onward was conducted using databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed studies examining the effects of aerobic exercise, resistance training, or yoga on PTSD symptoms in adult populations. Results: Aerobic exercise is the most effective for reducing hyperarousal and reexperiencing symptoms, benefiting from mechanisms like BDNF elevation and HPA axis regulation. Yoga is close behind, especially effective in managing hyperarousal and avoidance through mindfulness and parasympathetic activation. Resistance training, while beneficial for avoidance and hyperarousal, showed limited effects on mood and reexperiencing symptoms compared to aerobic exercise and yoga. Conclusion: Physical activity proven to be a valuable adjunctive therapy for PTSD. Aerobic exercise offers the most comprehensive benefits, followed closely by yoga, with resistance training providing specific yet narrower advantages.