A range of psychological interventions (e.g. psychotherapy and medication) is available to assist clinical patients to improve their mental health. Furthermore, while other types of therapies and interventions might be useful in changing mental states, they are less likely to address adequately the physical and functional problems that individuals with depression might experience. Moreover, exercise has the potential to influence patients' physical and psychological health simultaneously and this could have cost implications for the NHS. Faulkner & Biddle (2001) have commented that, regardless of any mental health benefits, exercise should be promoted, since the physical needs of psychiatric clients are often underserved. A number of studies have highlighted that clinical populations tend to suffer from poor physical health. For example, Chamove (1986) has indicated that patients with schizophrenia score well below the normal population on physical fitness. People with schizophrenia are commonly overweight, have excess body fat and are unfit. The physical health of substance misusers could benefit from exercise therapy. Specifically, people who misuse alcohol have been reported to have poor physical fitness (Palmer et al, 1988), loss of bone mass (Peris, et al, 1992) and a reduction of type II muscle tissue (Preedy & Peters, 1990). Given this wide range of physical ailments typically experienced by clinical patients, the physical benefits of exercise therapy alone present a sufficient reason for inclusion in any form of psychiatric rehabilitation (Faulkner & Sparkes, 1999).
Physical health and mental illness
