Effects of high aerobic intensity training in patients with schizophrenia—A controlled trial
2011

High Intensity Training Improves Fitness in Schizophrenia Patients

Sample size: 25 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Heggelund Jørn, Nilsberg Geir E, Hoff Jan, Morken Gunnar, Helgerud Jan

Primary Institution: Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Hypothesis

Does high aerobic intensity training improve physical fitness and reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with schizophrenia?

Conclusion

High aerobic intensity training significantly improved peak oxygen uptake and walking efficiency in patients with schizophrenia over 8 weeks.

Supporting Evidence

  • The HIT group improved VO2peak by 12% compared to the CG group.
  • Net mechanical efficiency of walking improved by 12% in the HIT group.
  • Psychiatric symptoms did not improve in either group.

Takeaway

Patients with schizophrenia can get better at exercising and walking by doing high-intensity workouts, which helps their heart health.

Methodology

25 inpatients were divided into a high-intensity training group and a computer game group, training for 8 weeks, with measurements of fitness and efficiency taken before and after.

Potential Biases

Potential selection bias due to non-randomized group assignment.

Limitations

The study did not use random allocation for group assignment, which may introduce selection bias.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 13 men and 6 women, with an average age of 33.6 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.001

Confidence Interval

0.07 to 0.58

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3109/08039488.2011.560278

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