Being Conducted During

The South Carolina Rugged Maniac

March 14th, 2020 8am-Noon

or longer, if you want to stick around and enjoy the festivities

2340 HWY 17 Mt Pleasant, SC 29466

Purpose of Study:

To garner a greater understanding of the impact that Camaraderie Based Exercise Events (CBEE) have on anxiety, depression and pain in an effort to stop suicide.

Research Participant Benefits

  • Your Rugged Maniac registration will be paid for by Operation Vet Fit, a $100 value.

  • Rugged Maniac Medal and T-Shirt to all finishers.

  • Food and Beverages provided prior to and after the event by Warrior Surf Foundation

Research Study Abstract

Background: Suicide was the 9th-leading cause of death in the United States in 2017. Reducing suicide is a top national priority. Anxiety, depression and pain have all been shown to be predictive of suicide.  While Camaraderie and physical exercise have been shown to reduce anxiety, depression and chronic pain.  The purpose of this study is to test this type of event as a tool for reducing anxiety, depression, and pain. 

Methods: Team Operation Vet Fit is recruiting 25 individuals. A single-group, pre-post, quasi-experimental design will be used to measure any acute impact of the Rugged Maniac, a Camaraderie Based Exercise Event (CBEE) on symptoms of anxiety, depression and pain. Previously validated scales will be used to measure the three outcome variables. The PANAS will be used to measure affect. Anxiety will be measured using the 7-item, (GAD-7). Depression will be measured using the Patient Health 9-item questionnaire, (PHQ-9). Pain will be measured using the Universal Pain Assessment Tool (UPAT).  The CBEE is a 5-kilometer, multi-obstacle mud run.  Descriptive statistics will be used to compare pre-post mean values across the three mental health scales. 

Results:  Will be posted upon the conclusion of the event.

Discussion:  Results from this follow-up study may show CBEE’s as a promising means for acutely reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression without increases in pain.  Follow up studies with larger sample sizes will follow to further investigate the relationship between CBEE’s and acute and chronic symptoms of anxiety, depression, pain and subsequently, suicide. 

 Funded by: Operation Vet Fit, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina