Integrating Whole Health in Veterans Affairs Healthcare – The Role and Application of the TSAC-F
by Mark Young, MS, TSAC-F, and Dalan Zydel, MS, MBA, CSPS
TSAC Report
August 2025
Vol 77, Issue 1
This article from the TSAC Report shares dietary guidance, customized exercise programs, and strategies for integrating whole health services for veterans.
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This article originally appeared in TSAC Report, the NSCA’s quarterly, online-only publication geared toward the training of tactical athletes, operators, and facilitators. It provides research-based articles, performance drills, and conditioning techniques for operational, tactical athletes. The TSAC Report is only available for NSCA Members. Read more articles from TSAC Report
References
- Anderson, E, and Durstine, JL. Physical activity, exercise, and chronic diseases: A brief review. Sports Medicine and Health Science 1(1): 3-10, 2019.
- Bennie, JA, Shakespear-Druery, J, and De Cocker, K. Musclestrengthening exercise epidemiology: A new frontier in chronic disease prevention. Sports Medicine - Open 6(1): 2020.
- Booth, FW, Roberts, CK, and Laye, MJ. Lack of exercise is a major cause of chronic diseases. Comprehensive Physiology 2(2): 1143-1211, 2012.
- Chapman, E. Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) forum on aging. 2024. Retrieved 2024 from https://www. va.gov/GRECC/pages/GRECC_Forum_on_Aging_Newsletters.asp.
- Department of Veterans Affairs fiscal years 2022-28 strategic plan: Letter from the secretary. 2022. Retrieved 2024 from https:// businessofva.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/VA-FY-2022-28-Strategic-Plan-Mar-28-2022.pdf.
- Gonzalez, DE, McAllister, MJ, Waldman, HS, Ferrando, A, Joyce, J, Nicholas, D, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: Tactical athlete nutrition. Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition 19(1): 267-315, 2022.
- Gropper, SS. The role of nutrition in chronic disease. Nutrients 15(3): 2023.
- Heinrich, KM, Kurtz, BK, Patterson, M, Crawford, DA, and Barry, A. Incorporating a sense of community in a group exercise intervention facilitates adherence. Health Behavior Research 5(3): 2022.
- Hoerster, KD, Millstein, RA, and Hall, KS. Individual and contextual correlates of physical activity among a clinical sample of United States veterans. Social Science and Medicine 142: 100-108, 2015.
- Khodyakov, D, Stockdale, SE, Smith, N, Booth, M, Altman, L, and Rubenstein, LV. Patient engagement in the process of planning and designing outpatient care improvements at the Veterans Administration Health-Care System: Findings from an online expert panel. Health Expectations 20(1): 130-145, 2017.
- Mahindru, A, Patil, P, and Agrawal, V. Role of physical activity on mental health and well-being: a review. Cureus 15(1): e33475, 2023.
- Marchand, WR, Beckstrom, J, Nazarenko, E, Sweeny, R, Herrmann, T, Yocus, M, et al. The veterans health administration whole health model of care: Early implementation and utilization at a large healthcare system. Military Medicine 185(12): E2150-E2157, 2020.
- Neuhouser, ML. The importance of healthy dietary patterns in chronic disease prevention. Nutrition Research 70: 3-6, 2019.
- Shue, S, Matthias, MS, Watson, DP, Miller, KK, and Munk, N. The career transition experiences of military Veterans: A qualitative study. Military Psychology 33(6): 359-371, 2021.
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Dalan Zydel, CSPS
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Dalan Zydel is a Physiologist and Whole Health Clinical Education Coordinator at Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Hospital System, PA. He holds the Certifi ...
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Audience:
TSAC Facilitators
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Topics:
Exercise Science Nutrition Program design Organization and Administration Testing and Evaluation Client Consultation|Assessment Basic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or Disease Professional Development
Exercise Science Nutrition Program design Organization and Administration Testing and Evaluation Client Consultation|Assessment Basic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or Disease Professional Development
Keywords:
Veterans Nutrition Whole Health Disease Prevention Exercise Programs Integrative Healthcare Veteran Health Administration
Veterans Nutrition Whole Health Disease Prevention Exercise Programs Integrative Healthcare Veteran Health Administration
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