Iranian Journal of War and Public Health

Aims: As a chronic disease, the physical side-effects in the chemically-injured veterans continually affect the quality of life of the veterans. Based on the studies, sport activities and exercises might enhance their mood, rehabilitate their physical conditions, and result in their mental relaxation. In addition, such activities might reduce the disabilities connected to such conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a sport program on the quality of life of the veterans with severe chemical injuries in Markazi Province.   

Instrument & Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 12 veterans of Markazi Province, Iran, with severe chemical injuries were entered the study according to inclusion criteria in 2014. The subjects were selected purposefully. A sport exercise program was conducted in 6 months. The program included planned and moderate sport activities, health advices, and a massage program via multimedia educational packages. The activities were done at home. The quality of life was assessed before and after the exercise program using quality of life questionnaire connected to health. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 software using paired T test.    

Findings: There was a significant difference between the mean score of different aspects of quality of life after the intervention and the mean score before the intervention. And after the intervention, there were increases in the mean scores of the dimensions of quality of life including physical activities, limitations for the physical role, limitations for the emotional role, vitality, mental health, social functioning, physical pain, and general health (p<0.05).

Conclusion: A planned sport program enhances the dimensions of the quality of life of the veterans with severe chemical injuries.