Preferences and motivations for exercise in early psychosis

A 2015 special issue of this journal [1] emphasized the importance of physical health interventions in schizophrenia, targeting the prevention of cardiometabolic diseases. As weight gain and glucose dysregulation occur shortly after the initiation antipsychotics and worsen rapidly over time, first-episode psychosis may be the optimal time for lifestyle interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk [1]. Physical exercise is a critical component of such interventions, as it is associated with decreases in all-cause mortality and morbidity [2]. Previous studies in long-term schizophrenia have demonstrated significant improvements in fitness, symptoms, and functioning from exercise interventions [2, 3]. However, there has been relatively little research in the early stages of psychosis, and the optimal type of exercise for this population is unclear. Nonetheless, the modality of recommended exercise is perhaps less important than the amount of exercise achieved, as 90 min per week of moderate-to-vigorous exercise is sufficient to improve physical and mental health [3].