The VET STRONG powerlifting program: Increasing quality of life and perceived social support in military Veterans

Abstract: Reintegrating into civilian life presents challenges for many military veterans, who often face mental health concerns compounded by barriers to accessing care. The VET STRONG Powerlifting Program aims to provide an alternative treatment option to managing PTSD and depression symptoms. By providing guided exercise sessions in a gym environment, the program seeks to improve social support and overall quality of life for veterans, while also promoting their physical well-being. The program’s conceptual framework, based on self-determination theory, created by seminal researchers Deci and Ryan, seeks to ensure the participants feel an increase in their basic psychological needs of autonomy, relatedness, and competence after the program's completion. Powerlifting is not a topic that has been explored deeply in psychology; however, it may be an attractive option for veterans who do not wish to participate in traditional mental health options. The program includes psychological assessments and feedback from the veteran and their certified strength coach. In addition to applied practice, the VET STRONG Powerlifting Program could be used to inform the creation of an organization to monitor practitioner certification to implement this program. As a contribution to research, the program manual could also be used as the basis for research about powerlifting as an adjunct mental health intervention option.

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