There is strong evidence that physical activity acutely reduces cigarette craving
AIMS To conduct an up date d systematic review and the first meta- analysis of experimental trials investigating the acute effects of short bouts of physical activity ( PA ) on strength of desire ( SoD ) and desire to smoke ( DtS ) using individual participant data ( IPD ) .
The effects of exercise on cigarette cravings and brain activation in response to smoking-related images
Rationale Smokers show heightened activation toward smoking-related stimuli and experience increased cravings which can precipitate smoking cessation relapse . Exercise can be effective for modulating cigarette cravings and attenuating reactivity to smoking cues , but the mechanism by which these effects occur remains uncertain . Objective The objective of the study was to assess the effect of exercise on regional brain activation in response to smoking-related images during temporary nicotine abstinence . Methods In a r and omised crossover design , overnight abstinent smokers ( n = 20 ) underwent an exercise ( 10-min moderate-intensity stationary cycling ) and passive control ( seating for the same duration ) treatment , following 15 h of nicotine abstinence . After each treatment , participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI ) brain scanning while viewing a r and om series of blocked smoking or neutral images . Self-reported cravings were assessed at baseline , mid- , and post-treatments . Results There was a significant interaction effect ( treatment × time ) for desire to smoke , F ( 2,32 ) = 12.5 , p < 0.001 , with significantly lower scores following the exercise at all time points compared with the control treatment . After both exercise and rest , significant areas of activation were found in areas of the limbic lobe and in areas associated with visual attention in response to smoking-related stimuli . Smokers showed increased activation to smoking images in areas associated with primary and secondary visual processing following rest , but not following a session of exercise . Conclusion The study shows differing activation towards smoking images following exercise compared to a control treatment and may point to a neuro-cognitive process following exercise that mediates effects on cigarette cravings
There is strong evidence that physical activity acutely reduces cigarette craving
AIMS To conduct an up date d systematic review and the first meta- analysis of experimental trials investigating the acute effects of short bouts of physical activity ( PA ) on strength of desire ( SoD ) and desire to smoke ( DtS ) using individual participant data ( IPD ) .