Offering personalised exercise programmes at local leisure centres could be the key to protecting young people suffering early psychosis from the statistical likelihood of an early grave, new research has suggested.

Scientists at the UK's University of Manchester found that tailored 10-week exercise programmes can have a significant impact in reducing the symptoms of early episode psychosis among 18-35-year-olds, cutting the risk of numerous associated issues.

The long-term prospects for young people who are diagnosed with psychosis are typically poor – with high rates of relapse, unemployment and premature death – while the antipsychotics they are prescribed also cause rapid weight gain. However the new study, which was recently published in the journal Early Intervention in Psychiatry concluded that exercise can serve as a valuable intervention.

“Establishing an exercise regime for people with psychosis is likely to be much more effective when they are younger, and in the earliest stages of treatment,” said Joseph Frith lead author on the study, which was titled Exercise as an intervention for first-episode psychosis: a feasibility study.

"Getting people into a routine early on also helps set habits for life, which can make a huge difference to their long-term physical and mental health.”

Researchers recruited 31 people aged 18-35 who had been referred to local mental health trusts for treatment. With the participants' help, the team designed personalised exercise regimes which were carried out under the supervision of a researcher for 10 weeks at local leisure centres. With the types of prescribed exercise having been tailored to individual tastes, the participants actually exceeded the target amounts of exercise; achieving 107 minutes of vigorous exercise training each week.

At the end of the 10-week period, the participants completed a variety of standardised mental and physical health tests. As a control group, seven people who were treated by mental health services without an exercise programme were also tested.

On the standardised tests, the exercise group displayed a 27 per cent reduction in psychiatric symptoms, which was significantly better than the control group. Their brain functions also improved, and they achieved a slight reduction in body weight – going against expected weight gain from normal treatment.

Frith added: “This was only a pilot study, but the improvements, particularly in psychiatric symptoms, were dramatic. Personalised exercise at local leisure centres seems to be a cost-effective and successful way to help these young people recover”.

“By reaching people early on, exercise can provide a healthy and empowering add-on treatment for young people with psychosis. This could massively improve their social functioning and mental health, hopefully preventing long-term disability from ever arising.”