title: Assessing the effectiveness of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for smoking cessation in women: HIIT to quit study protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Smoking and physical inactivity are major risk factors for heart disease. Linking strategies that promote improvements in fitness and assist quitting smoking has potential to address both these risk factors simultaneously. The objective of this study is to compare the effects of two exercise interventions (high intensity interval training (HIIT) and lifestyle physical activity) on smoking cessation in female smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study will use a randomised controlled trial design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women aged 18-55 years who smoke ≥ 5 cigarettes/day, and want to quit smoking.
  
  
  METHODS
  all participants will receive usual care for quitting smoking. Group 1--will complete two gym-based supervised HIIT sessions/week and one home-based HIIT session/week. At each training session participants will be asked to complete four 4-min (4 × 4 min) intervals at approximately 90% of maximum heart rate interspersed with 3- min recovery periods. Group 2--participants will receive a resource pack and pedometer, and will be asked to use the 10,000 steps log book to record steps and other physical activities. The aim will be to increase daily steps to 10,000 steps/day. Analysis will be intention to treat and measures will include smoking cessation, withdrawal and cravings, fitness, physical activity, and well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study builds on previous research suggesting that exercise intensity may influence the efficacy of exercise as a smoking cessation intervention. The hypothesis is that HIIT will improve fitness and assist women to quit smoking.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ACTRN12614001255673 (Registration date 02/12/2014).
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and Health (CRExPAH), School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia. t.pavey@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Toby G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Pavey
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston Campus, Brisbane, 4006, Australia. c.gartner@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Coral E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Gartner
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and Health (CRExPAH), School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia. jcoombes@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jeff S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Coombes
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and Health (CRExPAH), School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia. wbrown@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Wendy J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D012107:Research Design; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult