Physical Exercise in Patients With First Psychotic Episode

Justification: Patients with first-episode psychosis are at increased risk of premature ageing and early mortality, associated with telomere shortening and increased inflammatory markers. Physical exercise has shown protective effects in the general population, but there are no intervention studies in this population.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a strength training programme on telomere length and other markers of cellular ageing in people with a first episode of psychosis.

Material and methods: Quasi-experimental study with patients aged 18-35 years included in the PRINT programme (Salamanca). Standard treatment will be compared with standard treatment plus a 12-week strength training programme. Telomere length (qPCR), inflammatory and senescence markers (proteomics), body composition, frailty and quality of life will be analysed.

Applicability: The results could support the inclusion of physical exercise programmes as a complementary intervention in early psychosis care, promoting overall health, quality of life and reducing the gap in life expectancy compared to the general population.