Effects of an outdoor exercise program in persons with schizophrenia: Study protocol

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder that affects around 1% of the population worldwide. Regular physical activity and exercise has been proposed as a non-pharmacological strategy for prevention and management of the disorder. Outdoor activities such as aerobic training can be an effective approach to promote health. The study will evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a 24-week outdoor exercise program and the long-term effects of a 12-week follow-up on the physical and mental health of persons with schizophrenia. A detailed description of the rationale, design and methods of the protocol study will be provided. Methods: The study will be a quasi-experimental controlled trial using a parallel-group design with multiple assessments over an 8-month period. The study will comprise outpatients between the ages of 18 and 60, clinically diagnosed with schizophrenia. Participants will be allocated to the experimental and control group. The experimental group will perform outdoor exercise twice a week, switching between walking and cycling for 24-weeks, while the control group will continue with regular daily activities. Assessments will be carried out at baseline, post-intervention and at 12-week follow-up. The expected results will be improvements in functional capacity, physical fitness, physical activity levels, self-esteem, motivation to physical activity and quality of life. Also, improvements in anthropometric measures will be expected. Discussion: The study protocol and future results will add knowledge about the beneficial contribution of outdoor exercise on mental health policies. This study may also contribute to provide guidelines on exercise prescription for persons with schizophrenia.