High-Intensity Exercise Improves Sleep Quality in Women with PTSD Symptoms

Recent research from the University of Georgia highlights the potential benefits of high-intensity exercise on sleep quality among women experiencing PTSD symptoms. The study involved thirty women who participated in three weekly sessions of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) over a period of six weeks. Using bicycle ergometers, participants engaged in exercises designed to measure their power output and intensity levels.

The findings revealed that approximately 60% of these women reported significant improvements in sleep, transitioning from poor to good sleep quality by the end of the intervention. In contrast, only 6% of the control group—those on a waitlist—experienced similar improvements. Notably, measures of heart rate variability did not influence these sleep improvements, suggesting that the exercise's impact was independent of this factor.

Dr. Melissa McGranahan, a postdoctoral fellow at Emory University, emphasized the importance of including women in exercise studies related to PTSD since they are twice as likely to experience PTSD compared to men, yet have been underrepresented in previous research. The study's results indicate that adopting a time-efficient, high-intensity exercise routine could be an effective strategy for inactive women with PTSD who face sleep disturbances.

The research was part of McGranahan's dissertation, focusing on how exercise can support recovery in women with PTSD. The positive outcomes encourage further studies, especially considering the larger population of veterans, many of whom also suffer from sleep difficulties linked to trauma. As Dr. Patrick O'Connor points out, if exercise proves effective in enhancing sleep among veterans, it could serve as a low-cost, accessible treatment option.

Overall, this study underscores the potential of high-intensity exercise as a practical intervention to improve sleep health in women with PTSD symptoms, paving the way for broader research and application in trauma recovery and mental health management.