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. 2010 Jun;35(6):580-5.
doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2010.01.009. Epub 2010 Feb 1.

Negative affect as a mediator of the relationship between vigorous-intensity exercise and smoking

Candyce D Tart  1 , Teresa M Leyro, Ashley Richter, Michael J Zvolensky, David Rosenfield, Jasper A J Smits
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Negative affect as a mediator of the relationship between vigorous-intensity exercise and smoking

Candyce D Tart et al. Addict Behav. 2010 Jun.

Abstract

The present cross-sectional study evaluated whether people who engage in vigorous-intensity exercise are better able to regulate negative affective states, thereby changing core maintenance factors of smoking. Participants were a community sample of adults (n = 270) who completed self-report measures of physical activity, cigarette smoking, anxiety sensitivity, and negative affect. Consistent with hypothesis, vigorous-intensity exercise was related to lower levels of cigarette smoking, accounting for 10% of the variance in smoking. Additionally, negative affect mediated the relationship between vigorous-intensity physical activity and cigarette smoking, accounting for about 12% of this relation. Furthermore, these relationships were stronger for individuals with high anxiety sensitivity than for those with low anxiety sensitivity; including anxiety sensitivity as a moderator of the mediated relationship increased the amount of variance accounted for by negative affect to 17%. The findings are discussed in relation to developing further scientific insight into the mechanisms and pathways relevant to understanding the association among vigorous-intensity exercise, smoking, and emotional vulnerability.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The relationship between vigorous-intensity exercise and smoking. Note: ap < .01
Figure 2
Figure 2
Negative affect as a mediator of the relationship between vigorous-intensity exercise and smoking. Note: ap < .01.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The meditational effects of negative affect as a function of anxiety sensitivity (AS). Note: ap < .01.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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