Effects of high aerobic intensity training in patients with schizophrenia—A controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Patients with schizophrenia have a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). High aerobic intensity training (HIT) improve peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), net mechanical efficiency of walking and risk factors for CVD but has not been investigated in patients with schizophrenia. Aims: To investigate effects from HIT on VO2peak, net mechanical efficiency of walking and risk factors for CVD in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: 25 inpatients (F20-29, ICD-10) were allocated to either HIT or playing computer games (CG), 3 days per week for 8 weeks. HIT consisted of 4 × 4-min intervals with 3-min break periods, at 85-95% and 70% of peak heart rate, respectively. Results: 12 and seven patients completed HIT and CG, respectively. The baseline VO2peak in both groups combined (n = 19) was 36.8 ± 8.2 ml/kg/min and 3.12 ± 0.55 1/min. The HIT group improved VO2peak by 12% from 3.17 ± 0.59 to 3.56 ± 0.68 1/min (P < 0.001), more than the CG group (P = 0.014). Net mechanical efficiency of walking improved by 12% in the HIT group from 19.8 ± 3.0% to 22.2 ± 4.5% (P = 0.005), more than the CG group (P = 0.031). The psychiatric symptoms, expressed as the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), did not improve in either group. Conclusions: VO2peak and net mechanical efficiency of walking improved significantly by 8 weeks of HIT. HIT should be included in rehabilitation in order to improve physical capacity and contribute risk reduction of CVD.

A 20-week program of resistance or concurrent exercise improves symptoms of schizophrenia: results of a blind, randomized controlled trial

“…No significant changes in CDSS or SF-36 scores were found in a previous study of high-intensity aerobic training administered three times per week for 8 weeks. 9 This study was partially consistent with our results at week 10. In addition, the groups might have had low levels of depression, thereby complicating any improvement.…”

“…2,3 A recent systematic review demonstrated that patients with schizophrenia who participate less in physical activities have experience more negative symptoms, antipsychotic side effects, low selfefficacy, and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. 4 The important mental and physical benefits of exercise in patients with schizophrenia include improvement of symptoms, 5,6 a decreased need for care, 7 improved quality of life, 8 increased cardiorespiratory capacity, 9 increased muscle strength, 10 and increased functional capacity. 5 Studies of physical exercise among patients with schizophrenia have examined aerobic exercise, 6,9,11 which is characterized by repeated rhythmic movements of the large muscle groups of the body, such as those in the arms and legs.…”

“…4 The important mental and physical benefits of exercise in patients with schizophrenia include improvement of symptoms, 5,6 a decreased need for care, 7 improved quality of life, 8 increased cardiorespiratory capacity, 9 increased muscle strength, 10 and increased functional capacity. 5 Studies of physical exercise among patients with schizophrenia have examined aerobic exercise, 6,9,11 which is characterized by repeated rhythmic movements of the large muscle groups of the body, such as those in the arms and legs. Aerobic exercise mostly uses aerobic metabolism to produce energy; its adaptations are related to increases in maximum oxygen consumption (VO 2max ) and the ability of skeletal muscles to generate energy via oxidative metabolism.…”

What are the top 10 physical activity research questions in schizophrenia?

“…There is a growing interest in examining the role of vigorous-intensity activity or higherintensity interval training [44]. The safety and efficacy of high-intensity interval training compared to a standard continuous aerobic exercise prescription or comparing different physical activity intensities using a fixed physical activity volume (i.e., time to achieve the same energy expenditure) is to date yet to be reported in schizophrenia.…”

Effects of Exercise on Physical and Mental Health, and Cognitive and Brain Functions in Schizophrenia: Clinical and Experimental Evidence

“…Furthermore, it was found that differences in the level of force were significantly different between the experimental group and the control group, which in turn showed no difference in strength. In another study, Jorn Heggelund et al [41] showed that patients with schizophrenia were able to attend to a high intensity training program and consequently improved their VO2 peak. Schizophrenic patients usually have low VO2 peak values, thus increasing mortality rates due to their body composition and other impairments associated with disease.…”