Evaluating the Impact of Focused Muscle Contraction Therapy in U.S. Veterans
University of Illinois at Chicago
Summary
This research study is being done to investigate if the GH Method exercise program positively affects body composition, improves physical abilities and can improve the overall sense of wellbeing (e.g. depression, PTSD, etc.) in U.S. Veterans. Subjects will be asked to complete 94 total visits (four (4) study testing visits and 90 exercise visits). Enrolled subjects will be tested for fitness, strength, and health risk factors at UIC 4 times and will complete 90 exercise training visits at the GH FITLab over the next 18 months. Subjects will also be asked to complete questionnaires about depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms and thoughts about harming oneself.
Description
The study will consist of 94 visits (4 study testing visits and 90 exercise visits). Subjects will come to UIC for study testing visits at baseline (prior to starting the exercise program), at 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months (after ending the exercise program). Each of those visits will take about 2-3 hours. After the initial baseline visit, subjects will come twice weekly, for roughly 1 hour each session, for 6 months (52 visits). From 6-12 months, subjects will come once a week, for roughly 1 hour each session (26 visits). From 12-18 months, subjects will come twice a month, for roughly 1…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * U.S. Veterans * Eligible subjects must be patients at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and suffer from pain, fatigue, low energy levels or are unable to physically do things they were once able to do. * Subjects need to complete the PAR-Q with an acceptable score and/or must have written physician clearance. * 18 years of age and older Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to travel to the training center * Unable to give consent * Unable to understand the study * Unable to comply with the training program
Interventions
- BehavioralInvestigate the effects of an exercise intervention on U.S. Veterans.
Enrolled subjects will be asked to complete 94 total visits (4 study testing visits and 90 exercise visits). They will be tested for fitness, strength, and health risk factors at UIC 4 times and will complete 90 exercise training visits at the GH FITLab over the next 18 months.
Location
- University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, Illinois