by Dr Benjamin Stacey, UKBJJAScientific Advisor
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety can manifest following acute or chronic exposure to life threatening or distressing events. PTSD in particular is a significant mental health concern for the general population but is more prevalent among military veterans and first responders [1-3]. More recently, exercise has been suggested as a novel therapeutic intervention to positively improve PTSD and anxiety symptomology with potential mechanisms including exposure and desensitisation to internal arousal cues, exercise-induced neuroplasticity and enhanced cognitive function [4].
Established in 2020 by founder Sam Sherrif MBE, the REORG charity supports the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of military and emergency services personnel by facilitating access to fully-funded CrossFit or Jiu-Jitsu programmes. The REORG-60 initiative involves participants completing a minimum of two sessions per week over a 60-day period at a REORG approved training facility. Upon successful completion of REORG-60, participants are invited to partake in REORG-365, a year-long programme to continue their Jiu-Jitsu journey.
To find out more about REORG, become a REORG Supporting Academy, Support REORG or participate in one of their programs, please visit their website: www.reorgcharity.com
A recent evaluation of the REORG-60 programme by researchers at the University of Brighton has revealed significant improvement across several mental health and wellbeing categories following 60-days of participation. Between June 2024 and March 2025, a sample BJJ participants completed validated surveys measuring anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms and wellbeing at the beginning of their REORG-60 programme (Day 0), and again on Days 30 and 60. Symptoms related to PTSD decreased by Day 60, reflecting a shift from moderate PTSD to mild PTSD. Both depression and anxiety scores decreased from moderate to mild/minimal and wellbeing improved from low to normal. Importantly, these findings reflect clinically meaningful differences.
Interviews with BJJ participants highlighted the importance of community connection, positive challenge, and a sense of personal growth as key contributors to these improvements. The findings suggest that BJJ, as part of a structured programme like REORG-60, can be a powerful tool for enhancing mental health and resilience in populations affected by trauma or high-stress environments.
Dr Alex Channon, Principal Investigator (University of Brighton), said “This study demonstrates really encouraging findings to evidence the mental health impact of BJJ. It shows specifically that populations dealing with stressful or traumatic experiences can benefit in a range of ways from taking up the art. It is really interesting to see the same kinds of benefits also happening with CrossFit, and this helps us with figuring out exactly how and why BJJ is having an impact. We need more research to properly test the theory, but from our current data it looks like the intensity of the exercise, the depth of the learning challenge, and the close support of teammates are playing a key role here. We’re really excited to see what future studies of the art will turn up around this and related themes.”
This study is published in the Martial Arts Studies journal, the official journal of the Martial Arts Studies Association (MASA). The individual and social impacts of martial arts, including BJJ, is a core focus of researchers working within MASA. Anyone interested in this research can check out the association’s website and follow them on social media to learn about other publications, their podcast, and upcoming online and in-person events.
References
- Stevelink, S.A.M., et al., Mental health outcomes at the end of the British involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts: a cohort study. Br J Psychiatry, 2018. 213(6): p. 690-697.
- Hotopf, M., et al., The health of UK military personnel who deployed to the 2003 Iraq war: a cohort study. Lancet, 2006. 367(9524): p. 1731-41.
- Fear, N.T., et al., What are the consequences of deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on the mental health of the UK armed forces? A cohort study. Lancet, 2010. 375(9728): p. 1783-97.
- Hegberg, N.J., J.P. Hayes, and S.M. Hayes, Exercise Intervention in PTSD: A Narrative Review and Rationale for Implementation. Front Psychiatry, 2019. 10: p. 133.