title: Physical activity preferences of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Individuals with a severe mental illness (SMI) are at least two times more likely to suffer from metabolic co-morbidities, leading to excessive and premature deaths. In spite of the many physical and mental health benefits of physical activity (PA), individuals with SMI are less physically active and more sedentary than the general population. One key component towards increasing the acceptability, adoption, and long-term adherence to PA is to understand, tailor and incorporate the PA preferences of individuals. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if there are differences in PA preferences among individuals diagnosed with different psychiatric disorders, in particular schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (BD), and to identify PA design features that participants would prefer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants with schizophrenia (n = 113) or BD (n = 60) completed a survey assessing their PA preferences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistical between-group differences on any preferred PA program design feature between those diagnosed with schizophrenia or BD. As such, participants with either diagnosis were collapsed into one group in order to report PA preferences. Walking (59.5 %) at moderate intensity (61.3 %) was the most popular activity and participants were receptive to using self-monitoring tools (59.0 %). Participants were also interested in incorporating strength and resistance training (58.5 %) into their PA program and preferred some level of regular contact with a fitness specialist (66.0 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings can be used to tailor a physical activity intervention for adults with schizophrenia or BD. Since participants with schizophrenia or BD do not differ in PA program preferences, the preferred features may have broad applicability for individuals with any SMI.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, 55 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON, M5S2W6, Canada.
authors.forename: Mehala
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Subramaniapillai
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, 55 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON, M5S2W6, Canada.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arbour-Nicitopoulos
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, 2146 Health Sciences Mall, Room 4606, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.affiliation: Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street, MP 9-325, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada.
authors.forename: Roger S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.affiliation: Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street, MP 9-325, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada.
authors.forename: Rodrigo B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Mansur
authors.affiliation: Schizophrenia Program Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Remington
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, 2146 Health Sciences Mall, Room 4606, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada. guy.faulkner@ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faulkner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000458:organization & administration; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Health perceptions; Physical activity; Preferences; Severe mental illness; Walking