What are the psychological effects of delivering and receiving "high-risk" survival resistance training?

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the possible mental health impact of resistance training on UK Armed Forces personnel undergoing training and the psychological effects of delivering such training.

Method: British Military personnel (n = 42) completed a battery of self-report measures on anxiety, general mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, resiliency and training outcomes 1 month before, on the first and last day of the course and at 1-month follow-up. Resistance Instructors (RIs) (n = 40) completed a battery of self-report measures on anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol use, sleep, burnout, leadership, and morale.

Results: Although student self-ratings of resiliency did not change, they reported significant improvements in their ability to use strategies to cope with captivity. There was no significant increase in anxiety between precourse and follow-up. Post-traumatic stress intrusive symptoms were elevated at 1-month postcourse but remained low. Prevalence rates of psychological distress among RIs were elevated compared to U.K. military personnel but views of professional efficacy, unit leadership and morale were broadly positive.

Conclusion: Resistance training demonstrates some benefit to students but was associated with increase in traumatic stress symptoms at follow-up, whereas the mental health of RI appears modestly worse than the rest of the Armed Forces population.