Patients with severe mental illness suffer a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the interventions and treatment strategies that offsets and prevents this high risk is not ultimately established. Physical activity, physical training and particularly exercise capacity is associated with a number of health benefits that improve prognosis and reduce CVD risk. The largest benefits are demonstrated in inactive and low fit populations such as those with severe mental illnesses. Therefore, physical training therapy may be a cutting-edge intervention.
There are, however, several conflicting arguments that may limit the success of physical training therapy. These are foremost related to adherence and the ability to sustain aerobic capacity and maximal strength throughout life. A successful intervention must incorporate basic knowledge about exercise physiology and efficacy of interventions as well as effective deliverance in routine clinical practice. There is a need to point out the actions that are impressionable and predictive of long term exercise participation and exercise capacity with reduced CVD risk as the primary outcome.
Possible areas for future research:
• Mechanisms of the high CVD risk. The role of exercise capacity versus other risk factors.
• Interventions efficacy. The broader array of interventions that is predictive of short term and long term exercise capacity as well as exercise participation.
• Assessment methods and methodological issues.
• Predictors of prospective inactivity or physical activity.
• Other therapeutic benefits of improved exercise capacity, including symptomatology, quality of life and daily functioning.
The aim of this research topic is to provide a basis for future studies on physical training therapy in patients with severe mental disorders. We welcome original research, clinical trials, reviews, mini reviews, hypothesis and theory, clinical case studies, opinion articles, perspective articles and general commentary. In particular, an international and multidisciplinary effort will be desirable.

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