Physical Activity to Reduce Cardiometabolic Risk in Adults With Serious Mental Illness (PARCS) Study

The experimental arm will optimize a 12-week intervention 3 days/wk, last approximately 60 minutes, and consist of 10 minutes of warm up, 15 minutes of simple strength training activities, 25 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activities (e.g., walking), and 10 minutes of cool down. The eight full-body strength training exercises will use body weight and/or elastic bands and will include a circuit of chest press, seated row, squat, shoulder press, biceps curl, triceps extension, calf raise, and reverse crunch. Sessions will include education and skill building activities focused on Social Cognitive Theory mechanisms of change including self-efficacy, goal setting, and social support. Under the guidance of trained research staff, certified peer specialists who have experience working with peer groups, will be selected to help deliver the intervention.

The active control group will receive information about the importance of park-based PA and a map of local park locations but will not participate in structured park-based PA sessions. Participants in the control group will be invited to participate in park PA sessions after they have completed posttest.