Treatment Effects From Aerobic Endurance Training and Maximal Strength Training in Patients Suffering From Schizophrenia

The AIT group trains 4x4 minute interval training on a treadmill at 85-95 % HRpeak interspersed with 3 minutes of active resting periods at a work load corresponding to 70% HRpeak between each interval. All training sessions are monitored and start with a 6 minute warm-up and end with a 5 minute cool-down period at a work load corresponding to 70% HRpeak. Intervals are performed walking or running on a treadmill with a minimum of 5% inclination, 3 times per week for 8 weeks.

The CG spend the same amount of time (36 minutes), training to improve their ability in the computer game, Tetris. Tetris is a game where small shapes called Tetraminoes fall from the top of the Playfield to the bottom. Players must rotate the Tetraminoes as they fall and fit them together to complete lines. When the player fills an entire line with blocks, that line is removed from the screen. If the player cannot complete lines, the blocks will eventually rise past the top of the screen, and the game ends.

Training starts with a 10 minute warm-up on the treadmill. Maximal strength training is then performed in an inclined leg press machine. The subject lifts 4 maximal repetitions that are repeated 4 times after a 2 minute rest period. Subjects are instructed to lift the weight with an intention of maximal mobilization of force. Training load is increased each time the subject manage to perform 4x4 maximal repetitions. Training is carried out 3 times per week in 8 weeks.