Regular exercise linked to higher quit rates among smokers, study finds

Researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia have found that regular physical activity can help smokers quit and reduce nicotine cravings. The study pooled results from 59 trials examining the effect of exercise on smoking dependence, covering more than 9,000 participants, and assessed both single-session exercise and longer-term exercise programs. According to the findings, people who exercised regularly were 15 percent more likely to quit smoking entirely and 21 percent more likely to abstain for at least seven consecutive days. Participants who exercised also cut their daily cigarette consumption by an average of two cigarettes, and a single 30-minute exercise session eased strong cravings for roughly 30 minutes afterward. The researchers said exercise should not replace proven methods such as medication and specialist counseling, but could provide an accessible form of support during the most difficult moments of a quit attempt. They added that regular physical activity offers a practical option for smokers attempting to quit without the side effects associated with some pharmaceutical treatments. Smoking is known to raise the risk of lung and oral cancers, cardiovascular disease and damage to the brain and nervous system.