Exercise Training to Improve PTSD Symptoms and Health in Older Veterans

Inclusion Criteria:

• Veteran status

• registered for care at Durham VA Health Care System (VAHCS)

• live within 50 miles of fitness facility

• meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD as assessed by the CAPS-5

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of any psychiatric disorder with severe psychotic features in the past 5years (e.g., bipolar disorder, mania), as indicated by ICD-10 codes F20-F29 (ICD-9category 298.9)

• prominent suicidal ideation or hospitalization for suicidality in the previous 6months

• clinically significant: neurological disorder, systemic illness affecting centralnervous system (CNS) function, or history of seizure disorder in the past 5 years

• uncontrolled diabetes defined as:

• Abnormal fasting plasma glucose 126 mg/dL, random plasma glucose 200 mg/dL

• no active medications for diabetes management (Metformin, insulin, etc.)

• no clinical notes in the patient's electronic health record (EHR) indicatingmonitoring by primary care physician (PCP) or Endo for diabetes management)

• end stage liver disease or currently receiving dialysis

• physical disabilities precluding use of exercise equipment (assistive mobilitydevices acceptable)

• significant cognitive impairment or diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease orDementia

• hospitalization or ER visit in the past 6 months for conditions contraindicatedfor exercise (cardiac event; physical trauma)