OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of an eight-month exercise training programme with Greek traditional dancing on functional capacity and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia.DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.SETTING: Sports Medicine Laboratory.SUBJECTS: A total of 31 patients, aged 59.9 ± 14.1 years.INTERVENTIONS: They were randomly assigned either to a Greek traditional dancing programme (Group A) or to a sedentary control group (Group B).MAIN MEASURES: A functional capacity assessment was performed at baseline and the end of the study. Global Assessment of Functioning Scale and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale were also used. Quality of life was examined using the Quality of Life and Satisfaction questionnaire.RESULTS: After the eight months, Group A increased walking distance in the 6-minute walk test (328.4 ± 35.9 vs. 238.0 ± 47.6 m), sit-to-stand test (19.1 ± 1.8 vs. 25.1 ± 1.4 seconds), Berg Balance Scale score (53.1 ± 2.1 vs. 43.2 ± 6.7), lower limbs maximal isometric force (77.7 ± 25.7 vs. 51.0 ± 29.8 lb), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score (77.0 ± 23.1 vs. 82.0 ± 24.4), Global Assessment of Functioning Scale total score (51.3 ± 15.5 vs. 47.7 ± 13.3) and Quality of Life total score (34.9 ± 5.2 vs. 28 ± 4.5), compared with Group B.CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that Greek traditional dances improve functional capacity and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia.