Readiness to use physical activity as a smoking cessation aid: a multiple behaviour change application of the Transtheoretical Model among quitters attending Stop Smoking Clinics.
OBJECTIVE
Physical activity (PA) reduces cravings during smoking abstinence. Little is known about quitters' use of PA. This study aimed to: (1) determine the extent of quitters' past and current use of PA as a cessation aid, while attempting to quit; (2) examine relationships between use of PA and quitter characteristics and cognitions.


METHODS
Self-report surveys were completed by 181 smokers attempting to quit.


RESULTS
Twenty-two percent of quitters reported currently using PA to control their smoking, and 35% had used it during a previous quit attempt. Those in later stages of readiness for using PA as a cessation aid held more positive beliefs regarding self-efficacy, outcome efficacy and did more vigorous PA.


CONCLUSIONS
Quitters were more likely to use PA to help them quit when they had greater belief in their own ability to use PA and in the efficacy of PA to help them to quit, and were also meeting weekly PA targets for health.


CONCLUSIONS
Strategies by stop smoking advisors aiming to enhance client self-efficacy and outcome efficacy beliefs regarding PA as a cessation aid may help to increase the use of this behavioural strategy, since it seems that most quitters do not use PA.
Everson-Hock
Emma S
ES
School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. e.everson-hock@shef.ac.uk
Taylor
Adrian H
AH
Ussher
Michael
M
D004739:England; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012606:Scotland; D020377:Self Efficacy; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology