Efeito de um programa de atividade física na capacidade funcional para o exercício e nível de atividade física de pessoas com esquizofrenia – um estudo piloto

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a most debilitating disease. In addition, much of this people had an unhealthy lifestyle, which includes insufcient daily physical activity levels. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 24-week physical activity (PA) program in functional exercise capacity and level of PA in people with schizophrenia. METHODS: Nine persons (fve men and four women) with diagnose of schizophrenia participated for 24 weeks in a PA program. The program occurred twice a week, with 60 minutes per session. The evaluations occurred at baseline (M0), afer 12 weeks (M1) and 24 weeks (M2). Te functional capacity and the level of PA were evaluated through the 6-minute Walk Test and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form, respectively. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in functional exercise capacity. Although there were no signifcant statistically diferences, there was an increase in the level of PA and a reduction in waist and hip circumferences between M0 and M2. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the PA program can promote a healthy lifestyle in people with schizophrenia.