Military Men, Physical Exercise, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of physical exercise, including CrossFit®, as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military veterans. Drawing on the author's unique perspective as both a veteran and academic, it combines personal experience with research to evaluate exercise approaches such as strength training, aerobic activity, yoga, and mindfulness. It shows how these practices can support recovery, resilience, and mental health in ways that complement traditional therapies. A central theme is the influence of military masculinities in shaping how service members experience PTSD and respond to exercise-based interventions. The book critically examines how gender norms can both hinder and enable coping strategies, offering insights into adapting interventions to better meet veterans' needs. Clear, engaging, and evidence-informed, this book is essential reading for veterans, mental health professionals, and researchers in psychology, sport science, and health who seek innovative approaches to trauma recovery.

Provides a nuanced understanding of gender norms and mental health Combines empirical research with the author's personal narrative for a unique perspective Offers practical insights and policy recommendations for integrating exercise-based therapies into PTSD treatment

Autorentext

James Alder is a military veteran, CrossFit® researcher and practitioner, and academic at Arden University. Specialising in sport and exercise psychology, he completed his PhD at the University of Winchester on exercise and PTSD. His unique perspective combines lived experience and scholarship to challenge conventions and inspire recovery.

Inhalt

1. Understanding PTSD in Military Men.- 2. PTSD in Military Men: Masculinities, Symptomology, and Treatment.- 3. Masculinities, Physical Exercise, and PTSD.- 4. Reclaiming Myself Through CrossFit®: An Autoethnographic Analysis Informed by Self-Determination Theory.- 5. Exploring the Role of Physical Exercise in the Treatment of PTSD Among Military Veterans.- 6. Examining PTSD and Exercise in Military Veterans.- 7. Implications and Future Directions.