The effects of self-regulation strategies following moderate intensity exercise on ad libitum smoking

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to examine whether self-regulation strategies can further extend the effect of moderate intensity exercise on smoking delay.

Method: Participants were 40 adult smokers who were randomly assigned into two groups: control and self-regulation. A repeated measures design was adopted including a neutral condition (20 min video) and an exercise condition (20 min moderate intensity exercise).

Results: The results showed that smoking delay increased significantly for both groups; however, the increase for the self-regulation group was significantly larger than that of the control group.

Conclusions: The results support the anti-smoking effects of acute exercise; furthermore, they highlight the usefulness of self-regulation strategies, and in particular goal setting, in extending smoking delay. The present findings provide important evidence for the exercise and smoking literature and useful directions for the development of smoking cessation interventions.

Keywords: Breathing; Goal-setting; Heavy smokers; Physical activity; Self-talk; Smoking cessation.