Ethics and Sport in Rehabilitation and Resocialization of Persons with Mental Illness

Abstract

Context: Physical activity positively aff ects diff erent symptoms of schizophrenia. Our goal is to establish its eff ect on emotional aspects on reduction of anxiety and depressive feelings in patients with schizophrenia. Method and subjects: Th e subjects were 38 female patients with schizophrenia, degree of anxiety and depression were measured before and after six-week-period of exercise. Exercise intensity was adjusted to individual age and physical fi tness (recreational walking, stretching exercises and aerobic). Results: Depressive symptoms were considerably reduced in patients with established high degree of depression in all three groups of exercises and in patients with more pronounced anxiety in the stretching group. Conclu-sion: Physical activation positively aff ects mood by minimizing characteristics of depression and contributes to rehabilitation and resocialization of patients with schizophrenia.