Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience Webinar on Routine participation in sports and fitness activities among out-patients with psychotic disorders.

Background People with mental health problems are more likely to have smaller social networks and less fitness activities compared to the general population. Positive social connections and fitness activities are important for our physical and mental wellbeing. They can provide physical fitness, emotional support, practical assistance, information, and a sense of belonging. Sports and fitness activities among psychotic patients Sedentary lifestyle is a significant contributor to poor outcomes in people with psychotic disorders. However, little is known about the extent of routine participation in specific sports and fitness activities among those who do take part. Aim We investigated the frequency, intensity, time and type of sports and fitness activities (“fitness”) completed by people with psychotic disorders in their daily life and explored correlates associated with fitness participation. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among out-patients with psychotic disorders (n = 529) recruited from six different NHS sites in England. Mental health support in the UK • GP general practitioner: 1st contact. But if your mental health problems are severe; • community mental health teams (CMHTs): Outpatients, Support people with mental health problems living in the community. • social (or community) care: support you need to carry out day-to-day tasks which you're finding difficult (transport, appointment…) • residential care: If you aren't able to cope on your own at home. Hostels, Residential care home, Supported housing schemes, Rehab (therapeutic community). • crisis intervention: access to a crisis resolution and home treatment team. • hospital treatment: Inpatient services support people with severe mental health problems, or people who are experiencing a crisis. Voluntary or sectioned admissions. Our participants were recruited from the CMHTs. Subjective participation in fitness activities during the previous week was assessed by an adaptation of the UK Time Use Survey. The main outcome was whether participants met the minimum World Health Organization recommendations for moderate intensity physical activity (≥150 min/week) through fitness. Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to examine associations of this outcome with participant variables. Results In total, 267 (52.2%) participants reported taking part in routine fitness activities in the previous week, many of whom did so alone (n = 163, 59.1%). Only 21.5% (n = 114) completed ≥150 min of fitness activities in the previous week. The likelihood of attaining these recommendations was lower among participants who were female, older in age, in a relationship, unemployed and with fewer social contacts. Conclusion Mental health services promoting physical activity interventions among people with psychotic disorders may need to modify their approaches based on previous patient preference and increase their focus on sub-groups of patients who are less likely to routinely engage in fitness activities.