RESEARCH ARTICLE The Assessment, Benefits and Delivery of Physical Activity in People with Schizophrenia: A Survey of Members of the International Organization of Physical Therapists in Mental Health Brendon Stubbs 1 *, Andy Soundy 2 , Michel Probst 3,4 , Marc De Hert 3 , Amber De Herdt 3,4 , Anne Parker 5 & Davy Vancampfort 3,4 1 School of Health and Social Care, University of Greenwich, Southwood Site Avery Hill Road Eltham, London SE9 2UG, UK 2 School of Health and Population Sciences, College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, 52 Pritchatts Road, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK 3 KU Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, University Psychiatric Centre, B-3070 Kortenberg, Belgium 4 Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium 5 Physiotherapy Department, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Terrace, Edinburgh EH10, UK Abstract Background. People with schizophrenia typically die over a decade before members of the general population. Physical activity is a low cost and effective intervention that can have a multitude of beneficial effects on people with schizophrenia. Physical therapists lead in the delivery of physical activity in many of the commonly observed co- morbidities in schizophrenia, yet their role in the delivery of physical activity in patients with schizophrenia remains unclear. Objective. This study aimed to establish an international consensus on physical therapists’ beliefs, potential benefits and practices in the use of physical activity in schizophrenia. Method. All members of the International Organization of Physical Therapists in Mental Health were invited to take part in a cross-sectional online survey. All data were analysed using descriptive statistics and quantitative content and/or thematic analysis. Results. One hundred and fifty-one physical therapists from 31 countries responded. Almost all respondents (92%) felt that physical activity benefited patients with schizophrenia, and 75.2% and 22.5%, respectively, felt that it was very important and important that physical therapists oversee in the delivery of physical activity in psychiatric services. Resultant themes established that physical activity has a plethora of beneficial effects on people with schizophrenia including physical health benefits and biopsychosocial effects such as improved mental health, socialization and quality of life. In addition, participants felt they have the necessary theoretical knowledge and clinical skills required for leading and overseeing physical activity programmes in this complex patient group. Conclusion. Physical ther- apists identified that physical activity has a plethora of benefits for patients with schizophrenia and that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to lead and oversee the successful delivery of physical activity in patients with schizophrenia in clinical practice. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Received 28 October 2013; Revised 13 February 2014; Accepted 11 March 2014 Keywords physical activity; physical health; schizophrenia; serious mental illness *Correspondence Brendon Stubbs, School of Health and Social Care, University of Greenwich, Southwood Site Avery Hill Road Eltham, London SE9 2UG, UK. E-mail: b.stubbs@greenwich.ac.uk Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI: 10.1002/pri.1592 Physiother. Res. Int. (2014) © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.