title: Efficacy of Resistance Training as an Aid to Smoking Cessation: Rationale and Design of the Strength To Quit Study.
abstract: Despite recent declines in the rates of cigarette smoking, smoking remains prevalent among individuals with lower income, less education, and those with mental illness or HIV. Exercise is promoted as an aid to smoking cessation; however, the evidence for this recommendation is equivocal. To date, the majority of studies have only examined aerobic exercise; there is a poor understanding of the mechanisms of action; and there is an under-representation of male smokers. The goal of this trial is to produce new data that will help to address each of these gaps. A total of 206 male and female smokers will receive a brief smoking cessation education session prior to being randomized into a 12-week Resistance Training (RT) or Wellness Contact Control group. Both groups will have the option of using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and both will meet on-site twice per week during the 12-week program (24 total sessions). Follow-up assessments will occur at the end of the 12-weeks (3-month), and at a 6-month and 12-month (post-randomization) visit. Participants will not receive any additional smoking cessation treatment during follow-up; however, the RT group will receive a 9-month membership to a fitness center to encourage continued resistance training as a way to maintain cessation, and attendance will be tracked. The primary outcome is salivary-cotinine-verified 7-Day Point Prevalence Abstinence (PPA) at the 3-month assessment, and at the 6 and 12-month follow-ups. Secondary outcomes include effects of resistance training on nicotine withdrawal symptoms, indicators of mental health, and markers of disease risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th St., New York, NY 10027, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Ciccolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, School of Public Health, Box G-S121-4, Providence, RI 02912, USA ; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 167 Point Street, Providence, RI 02903 USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, School of Public Health, Box G-S121-4, Providence, RI 02912, USA ; Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, 167 Point Street, Providence, RI 02903 USA.
authors.forename: Shira I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Dunsiger
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th St., New York, NY 10027, USA.
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Whitworth
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th St., New York, NY 10027, USA.
authors.forename: Aston K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: McCullough
authors.affiliation: Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, 167 Point Street, Providence, RI 02903 USA ; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 167 Point Street, Providence, RI 02903 USA.
authors.forename: Beth B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Bock
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, U.C. San Diego Health Sciences, 9500 Gilman Drive, 0628, La Jolla, CA. 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Bess H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.affiliation: Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospital, 1111 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10025, USA.
authors.forename: Merle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Myerson