May 24, 2011
Exercise tends to curb smoking cravings in women smokers, but not for long.
Researchers set out to find out why exercise works to curb cravings in lab experiments, but fizzles during treatment trials.
They say is while exercise curbs cravings and helps improve mood .. that effect wears off within a day.
However, the team says the feeling can be renewed with more exercise.
Scientists studied sixty female smokers during an eight week smoking cessation treatment.
They were all given counseling and nicotine patches.
Half were assigned to an exercise group while the other half watched health and wellness videos.
They found the exercise group was more likely to experience reduced cravings and better mood than the others.
But the effects didn't last until their next exercise session.
Study authors say while the results of exercise are encouraging on cravings.
More research is needed.
Findings appear in the journal, Addictive Behavior.