Acute effect of exercise on alcohol urges and attentional bias towards alcohol related images in high alcohol consumers

Abstract

BackgroundShort bouts of exercise can reduce cravings, attentional bias (AB) and substance use among abstaining smokers and snackers. Only one study has shown reduced alcohol cravings following exercise but none have investigated the effects on attentional bias. The aim of the present study was to examine whether a single session of exercise reduces AB towards alcohol-related images and alcohol urges among high alcohol consumers. MethodsThe study involved 20 abstaining (for ≥3 days) alcohol drinkers, consuming more than weekly recommendations, with a mean age (SD) = 20.8 (0.8) years. Participants were initially randomised in a counterbalanced cross-over design to undertake either (1) 15 min of brisk walking or (2) 15 min of passive seating on different days. Participants completed an adapted dot probe task, with matched neutral and alcohol images randomly presented for either 200 ms or 1000 ms to respectively measure initial (IAB) or maintained attentional bias (MAB) pre- and post-treatment. The Alcohol Urge Questionnaire (AUQ) was administered before, immediately after, and 5 and 10 min post treatment. ResultsA two-way fully repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant condition × time interaction for MAB F(1, 17) = 6.96, p = 0.017, and AUQ scores F(1.47, 27.96) = 60.19, p < 0.001. MAB was significantly reduced following the exercise compared with the control condition. Differences in AUQ between conditions were significant at all assessments post treatment. ConclusionsA short bout of exercise, compared with a passive control condition, may acutely reduce MAB to alcohol cues and alcohol urges, and thus may help with self-regulation of alcohol consumption.