Research on Benefits of Physical Activity

Indiana University recently posted information on a study lead by Professor Bryan McCormick that suggests people with serious mental illnesses can benefit from low levels of physical activity. Even meager levels of physical activity can improve the mood of people with serious mental illnesses (SMI) such as bipolar disorder, major depression and schizophrenia.

The study, published in the International Journal of Social Psychiatry, both reinforces earlier findings that people with SMI demonstrate low levels of physical activity and supports the consideration of physical activity as a regular part of psychiatric rehabilitation. Physical activity was defined as any form of sustained movement, such as walking for transportation, gardening or formal exercise.

"We found a positive association between physical activity level and positive mood when low to moderate levels of physical activity are considered," said study author Bryan McCormick, associate professor in IU's Therapeutic Recreation Program. "Physical activity interventions that require lower levels of exertion might be more conducive to improving transitory mood, or the ups and downs people with SMI experience throughout the day."

I'm pleased to see this research that provides empirical evidence for practice in RT. This is exactly the type of research needed to advance RT. Congratulations Bryan and colleagues!

To read the full article:
"Predicting Transitory Mood From Physical Activity Level Among People With Severe Mental Illness in Two Cultures," International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 2008, 54: 527-538.