EFFECTS OF POWERLIFTING TRAINING ON POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER SYMPTOMS IN VETERANS OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/ped-uzhnu/2026-13-24Keywords:
powerlifting, war veterans, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), physical and sports rehabilitation, strength training, psycho-emotional state, resilience, sleep quality, psychological well-being, combat veteransAbstract
The article investigates the impact of systematic powerlifting training on manifestations of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The relevance of the study is обусловed by the high prevalence of psycho-emotional disorders among combat veterans, including increased anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, emotional instability, and reduced quality of life. Under current conditions, the search for effective non-pharmacological approaches to physical and psychological rehabilitation has become particularly important, as they can provide comprehensive recovery for veterans after participation in combat operations. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of powerlifting training on the severity of PTSD symptoms and related psycho-emotional indicators in veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The study involved 40 veterans aged 25–52 years with mild to moderate PTSD manifestations. Participants were divided into an experimental group and a control group, each consisting of 20 individuals. Veterans in the experimental group participated in a specially designed 12-week powerlifting training program, while participants in the control group underwent traditional physical rehabilitation activities. To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) was used to assess PTSD symptom severity, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) were applied to evaluate levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) was used to assess psychological resilience, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was employed to determine sleep quality. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using Student’s t-test and Cohen’s d effect size analysis. The results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, depressive manifestations, and psycho-emotional tension among veterans in the experimental group (p < 0.05). At the same time, improvements were observed in psychological resilience, sleep quality, and overall psychological well-being. The findings indicate the high effectiveness of powerlifting as a means of physical and sports rehabilitation for war veterans and confirm its suitability for inclusion in comprehensive recovery programs for combat participants. The scientific novelty of the study lies in identifying the specific effects of strength training on PTSD symptoms in veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war and substantiating the potential of powerlifting as an effective tool for psychophysical rehabilitation.
References
Blevins C. A., Weathers F. W., Davis M. T., Witte T. K., Domino J. L. The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): Development and Initial Psychometric Evaluation. Journal of Traumatic Stress. 2015. Vol. 28, № 6. P. 489–498. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22059.
Bovin M. J., Marx B. P., Weathers F. W. et al. Psychometric Properties of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) in Veterans. Psychological Assessment. 2016. Vol. 28, № 11. P. 1379–1391. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0000254.
Weathers F. W., Bovin M. J., Lee D. J. et al. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5): Development and Initial Psychometric Evaluation in Military Veterans. Psychological Assessment. 2018. Vol. 30, № 3. P. 383–395. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0000486.
Rosenbaum S., Vancampfort D., Steel Z., Newby J., Ward P. B., Stubbs B. Physical Activity in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Psychiatry Research. 2015. Vol. 230, № 2. P. 130–136. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2015.10.017.
Hegberg N. J., Hayes J. P., Hayes S. M. Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2019. Vol. 10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00133.
Whitworth J. W., Ciccolo J. T. Exercise and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Military Veterans: A Systematic Review. Military Medicine. 2016. Vol. 181, № 9. P. 953–960. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7205/MILMED-D-15-00488.
Whitworth J. W., Nosrat S., SantaBarbara N. J., Ciccolo J. T. High-Intensity Resistance Training Improves Sleep Quality and Anxiety in Individuals Who Screen Positive for PTSD. Mental Health and Physical Activity. 2019. Vol. 16. P. 43–49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2019.04.001.
Connor K. M., Davidson J. R. T. Development of a New Resilience Scale: The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Depression and Anxiety. 2003. Vol. 18, № 2. P. 76–82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/da.10113.
Buysse D. J., Reynolds C. F., Monk T. H., Berman S. R., Kupfer D. J. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Psychiatry Research. 1989. Vol. 28, № 2. P. 193–213. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1781(89)90047-4.
Клос Л. Є., Блавт О. З., Ковальчук О. М. Реалізація комплексної реабілітації ветеранів російсько-української війни з інвалідністю в закладах вищої освіти. Rehabilitation & Recreation. 2024. № 18. С. 12–22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32782/2522-1795.2024.18.3.1.
Крушинська Н. В., Когут І. О. Вплив фізкультурно-спортивної реабілітації на рівень фізичної підготовленості учасників бойових дій. Слобожанський науково-спортивний вісник. 2023. № 2. С. 25–33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15391/snsv.2023-2.003.
Кожокар М. В. Invictus Games як засіб фізичної та психосоціальної реабілітації ветеранів війни. Фізична культура, спорт та здоров’я нації. 2025. № 15. С. 102–109. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31891/pcs.2025.1(1).1
