Introduction: Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) face health challenges, increasing societal burdens. Engagement in meaningful occupations supports recovery. While physical activity benefits SMI, most studies focus on structured exercises like walking, with limited attention to sports as a meaningful occupation. Football, a popular sport among SMI internationally and in Taiwan, may offer health benefits. However, previous research lacks large samples, control groups, and comprehensive outcome assessments.
Objectives: This longitudinal study compared the recovery process and health of individuals with SMI who joined a football team (i.e., football players) with a matched control group who did not join a football team (i.e., non-players) at baseline and after six months.
Methods: Participants were recruited from football teams and mental health rehabilitation centers in Taiwan, including football players (N=70) and non-players (N=70) (mean age 41.93±11.49 years; schizophrenia 75.71%). Non-players were matched by age, gender, and illness severity. Recovery was measured by the Recovery Scale, and health functions included physical fitness, psychosocial function, and cognitive function. Data were analyzed using a generalized estimating equation .
Results: Football players showed significant improvements in cognitive function (symbol coding, p=.032; Stroop, p=.014) and physical fitness (sit-up, p=.008; shuttle run, p<.001; timed-up and go, p<.001; BMI, p=.018). No significant differences were found in recovery or psychosocial functioning.
Conclusions: Football team participation enhanced cognitive and physical fitness in individuals with SMI but had no observed effects on recovery or psychosocial function. Further qualitative research is needed to explore its broader impact on recovery and overall health.