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Physical fitness and activity levels among Chinese people with schizophrenia: A cross-sectional study with matched case-control comparison

Bressington, Daniel, Li, Yan, Hulbert, Sabina, Mak, Yim Wah (2020) Physical fitness and activity levels among Chinese people with schizophrenia: A cross-sectional study with matched case-control comparison. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (10). p. 3564. ISSN 1660-4601. (doi:10.3390/ijerph17103564) (KAR id:81339)

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103564

Abstract

People with schizophrenia have an increased risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases and a reduced life expectancy. Studies conducted mainly in Western settings report low amounts of activity and poor levels of fitness in this population. This study aims to compare physical fitness and activity levels between people with schizophrenia/healthy matched controls and investigate potential associations between these variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 57 community-dwelling people with schizophrenia and 57 age-, gender- and BMI-matched controls. Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the YMCA Fitness Assessment Protocol with accompanying cardiovascular/lung function tests. Cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly better in healthy matched controls than individuals with schizophrenia in all areas (all p<.05, d=0.38 to 1.06). Performance in best trunk flexion, half sit-ups and one-minute pulse recovery following the 3-minute step test were significantly worse in the schizophrenia group (all p<.001, d=0.76 to 1.04). Higher levels of weekly moderate activity (t=-2.66, p=.009) and total weekly activity levels (t=-2.013, p=.047) were reported by the healthy controls. Levels of vigorous activity were significantly correlated with some areas of lung functioning in the schizophrenia group (all p<.05). The findings show that Chinese people with schizophrenia have significantly poorer fitness than matched healthy controls, demonstrating the need to provide timely effective exercise-based interventions as a matter of routine to attenuate the risk of developing chronic physical illnesses.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.3390/ijerph17103564
Uncontrolled keywords: Physical fitness; activity levels; schizophrenia; recovery; matched-control; cross-sectional
Subjects: H Social Sciences
R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Sabina Hulbert
Date Deposited: 21 May 2020 08:38 UTC
Last Modified: 05 Nov 2024 12:47 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/81339 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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