Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Over half of adults have experienced at least one adverse childhood event (e.g. physical/sexual/emotional abuse, neglect, etc.). Not surprisingly, these adverse childhood events place inordinate stress on individuals. Adults with exposure to adverse childhood events have been shown to have poorer functioning of their main biological stress-response system, and often suffer from stress-induced mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. One possible lifestyle strategy to lessen the negative effects of adverse childhood events on biological and mental health is aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise has stress-reducing effects, both physically and mentally. Thus, aerobic exercise may help maintain the proper functioning of the main stress-response system and improve mental health of adults with a history of adverse childhood events. I am proposing to conduct a randomized controlled trial of a 12-week aerobic exercise program to see if it will improve the biological stress response and mental health of adults with a history of adverse childhood events. The timeline and scope of this work are based on our previous successes in recruitment of this population and implementation of this exercise intervention. Findings have both individual and public health potential, and may inform practical health strategies for other populations who have experienced and/or are experiencing extreme stress loads.