The association between cardio-respiratory fitness and cognition in schizophrenia

Cardio-respiratory fitness is associated with a verbal factor across cognitive domains in schizophrenia

“…In a previous study, we found that CRF explained as much variance in general intellectual ability as in the state-sensitive cognitive functions (Holmen et al, 2017). We interpreted this finding as an indication that the association between CRF and cognition in schizophrenia is established at the time when general intellectual ability is consolidated in the young person.…”

“…Significance tests were set as one-tailed, as predicted direction of the associations was given from the results of a previous study (Holmen et al, 2017). In this previous study we also controlled for a range of possible confounders, which were shown not to exert significant influence on the general relationship between CRF and cognition.…”

“…The cross-sectional design of the study leaves any propositions about causal pathways inferential. Several possible third-variable influences on the relationship between CRF and cognition in schizophrenia have been controlled for in a previous study (Holmen et al, 2017), but the possibility of other disorder-specific third variables contributing to the association, such as genetic factors, cannot be ruled out.…”

“…In a previous study, we found that CRF explained 8.2% and 9.0% of the variance in general intellectual ability (IQ) and state-sensitive cognitive functions (processing speed, attention, working memory, learning and executive functions) respectively (Holmen et al, 2017). The effect of CRF on cognition was significant beyond the impact of negative psychotic symptom load.…”

Physical activity pattern and cardiorespiratory fitness in individuals with schizophrenia compared with a population-based sample

“…Blair et al (2009) noted that low CRF was a stronger predictor of mortality than any other risk factors (i.e., smoking, fat accumulation) (Blair, 2009). Furthermore, in people with schizophrenia, a low CRF level has been associated with negative symptoms (Vancampfort et al, 2015), cognitive impairment (Holmen et al, 2017), increased BMI (Vancampfort et al, 2015), and impaired daily functioning (Kimhy et al, 2014). The very low CRF levels reported in this study would therefore most likely not only increase the risk of developing lifestyle diseases, but also affect both disease-specific symptoms and the ability to move around without strain and discomfort.…”