[Physical capacity of schizophrenic patients]

Reduced physical capacity in schizophrenic illness has been described in medical literature, but so far not been substantiated empirically. The findings of progressive bicycle ergometry confirm the assertion, with the following main results having been obtained: 1. As opposed to a matched comparison group of untrained healthy clients, the schizophrenically ill patients demonstrated significantly lower endurance levels in respect of the aerobic-anaerobic threshold. 2. Relative to the load maximum attainable highly significant differences existed between the groups. Particularly noteworthy had been early exercise termination already at submaximal loads by the schizophrenic patients. 3. The patients under study obtained values one third below standard compared to the maximum load target for untrained persons, with age and weight being taken into account. The findings are discussed as regards the possible causes of the performance reductions found as well as possibilities for improvement, demanding in particular that sports therapy programmes receive greater emphasis in the rehabilitation process. Also, the results obtained should be taken into consideration in the design of vocational rehabilitation measures.