title: Attitudes and preferences towards exercise training in individuals with alcohol use disorders in a residential treatment setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are a major public health concern due to their association with several acute and chronic health conditions. Exercise training offers a myriad of physical and mental health benefits, and may be a promising adjunct intervention for those in AUD treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore the possible role of exercise training as a treatment strategy by examining the attitudes, beliefs, and preferences of individuals entering residential AUD treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surveys were administered to eligible individuals with AUD within 2days of intake to one of two residential treatment centers. The survey asked respondents about their attitudes, beliefs, and preferences towards exercise training as a part of their residential treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents were in favor of receiving exercise counseling as part of their treatment (70.6%), in a face-to-face format (90.0%), and from an exercise counselor at the treatment center (55.5%). The top reported benefits included: improved health, feeling good about oneself, and feeling more confident. The most commonly reported barriers to exercise training included transportation issues, lack of motivation, knowledge, and proper equipment, and cost.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study supports previous work in individuals with substance abuse disorders and suggests that exercise training would be widely accepted as a part of residential treatment for AUD. This study also identified several strategies that can be used to individualize exercise training programs to better meet the needs of AUD patients and maximize their participation in future interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th Street, Clinical Research Building, Suite 1008, Miami, FL, USA 33136. Electronic address: mstoutenberg@med.miami.edu.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoutenberg
authors.affiliation: Arapahoe House Inc., 8801 Lipan Street, Thornton, CO, USA 80260.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warne
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th Street, Clinical Research Building, Suite 1008, Miami, FL, USA 33136.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vidot
authors.affiliation: Gateway Community Services Inc., 555 Stockton Street, Jacksonville, FL, USA 32204.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jimenez
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 231 Park Hall, Buffalo, NY, USA 14260.
authors.forename: Jennifer P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Read
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology*; D012114:Residential Treatment / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Alcohol; Barriers; Benefits; Gender; Physical activity; Preferences