The long-lasting impact of high-intensity training via collaborative care in patients with schizophrenia: A 5-year follow-up study

Although exercise is medicine for outpatients with schizophrenia, it is unclear if one-year adherence-supported exercise leads to a “tipping point”, at which the exercise becomes a routine manifested as life-long training in the patient group. Forty-eight outpatients (28 men/20 women: 35 ± 11 (mean ± SD) years) with schizophrenia (ICD-10: F20–29) were randomised to: 1) collaborative care group (TG), performing aerobic interval (AIT; 4 × 4-min treadmill walking/running at ∼90 % peak heart rate) and leg press maximal strength training (MST; 4 × 4 repetitions at ∼90 % maximal strength [1RM]) 2d·wk.−1 for 1-year, supported by transportation and training supervision; or 2) control group (CG). Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) and walking work efficiency were measured directly along with scaled 1RM/power, anthropometry, blood pressure, and blood samples at inclusion, 1-year, and 5-years post-intervention. The TG increased V̇O2peak (11 %, p