Cognitive control in schizophrenia spectrum disorders is associated with long-term movement activity rather than single-bout exercise

BACKGROUND: Patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) suffer from impaired cognitive functions. Previous studies in healthy individuals have shown that a single bout of physical exercise benefits cognitive functions. Such enhancements in cognitive function would be highly beneficial, particularly for patients with SSD, as cognitive abilities play a vital role in both mental and physical health.

METHODS: We examined the impact of a single bout of aerobic exercise on cognitive function in 25 patients with SSD and 24 healthy controls. Participants performed a single bout of aerobic exercise adjusted to their individual fitness level. Cognitive function was examined pre- and postexercise via oculomotor tasks consisting of saccadic (i.e., pro- and antisaccades) and smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEM). Furthermore, long-term physical fitness and movement activity were assessed through an anaerobic threshold testing and self-reports of physical activity.

RESULTS: As expected, SSD-patients showed higher antisaccade error rates and were impaired in both SPEM initiation and maintenance with higher disorganization levels being related to lower SPEM performance. Neither the patient nor control group benefited from a single bout of exercise in terms of improved saccade or SPEM performance. However, higher fitness levels and more extensive long-term movement activity were associated with lower antisaccade error rates in patients.

CONCLUSION: These findings do not demonstrate a single bout postexercise benefit in cognition; however, results indicate an association between greater cognitive control and long-term movement activity and thus underscore the importance of conducting further investigations into long-term exercise interventions as a complementary therapeutic approach.