The COFIT-20 project: encouraging physical activity through online livestream group classes for people with serious mental illness during COVID-19

Goal The COFIT-20 study will examine 40 people with a psychiatric condition: 20 people participate in the sports group and 20 in the control group. The sports group participates in fitness or pilates twice a week via video connection for 12 weeks. In small groups, they receive live feedback from a sports coach and discuss before and after the lesson how they experienced the sport. Results The COFIT-20 program focuses on sports via a live video calling connection for people with a psychiatric vulnerability. The research shows that people with a psychiatric vulnerability find it pleasant and accessible to exercise in this way. 55% even said they felt less lonely. In addition, we saw that the physical and mental quality of life of the participants improved. These findings are very important. The corona pandemic has a negative effect on people's mental and physical health, and this affects people with psychiatric vulnerability even more. The COFIT-20 program could potentially reduce these negative consequences.