A recent study done by the University of Exeter has provided evidence for the first time that exercise can help people that are trying to kick their smoking habit. The specific study involved 20 moderately to heavy smokers who were required to fast from smoking for 15 hours before the test. They were then given 15 minutes of moderate exercise on an exercise bike and then shown smoking related images while their very precise eye movements were tracked. The results of the study showed an 11% decrease in the amount of time a person spent looking at a smoking image after 15 minutes of exercise versus no exercise. Many other studies have shown that light to moderate exercise like a brisk walk have been able to help people curb cigarette cravings.
This study will hopefully open up a new door into the hundreds if not thousands of non-physical related ways that exercise can help people. For that matter, if light to moderate exercise is enough to help people curb one of the more addictive drugs in the world what can high intensity training help accomplish?
The growing amount of evidence that moderate exercise can significantly help smokers curb their habits is only the beginning. There is every reason to assume that many negative habits preventing people from turning a corner in their health couldn't similarly be helped with the inclusion of a regular regime of exercise.
No comments:
Post a Comment