Examining physical activity levels and alcohol consumption: are people who drink more active?
OBJECTIVE
Summarize/categorize current scientific literature examining the association between alcohol consumption (AC) and levels of physical activity (PA).


METHODS
Electronic databases spanning education, psychology, sociology, medicine, and interdisciplinary reports.


METHODS
Included studies (n =17) must be published in a peer-reviewed, English language journal; measure either AC or PA as an independent/dependent variable; and primarily examine the relationship between AC and PA.


METHODS
Search terms/phrases included alcohol, alcohol consumption, drinking, physical activity, exercise, and physically active.


RESULTS
The Matrix Method and PRISMA guidelines organized pertinent literature and identified/extracted salient findings.


RESULTS
Alcohol consumers of all ages were more physically active than nondrinking peers. Further, several studies suggest a dose-response relationship between AC and PA, indicating that as drinking increases, so does PA level.


CONCLUSIONS
Reviewed studies support a positive association between AC and PA across all ages. Findings were contrary to the hypothesis of the investigators. Future research should place specific emphasis on identifying why alcohol consumers exercise at higher levels than non-alcohol consumers.
Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-8210, USA. akgardner@ufl.edu
Anna K
AK
Piazza-Gardner
Adam E
AE
Barry
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011634:Public Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D014481:United States