Effects of exercise on cravings to smoke: the role of exercise intensity and cortisol.

Research consistently demonstrates that a bout of moderate exercise alleviates cravings to smoke among abstaining smokers. The aims of this study were to examine whether doses of exercise (moderate or vigorous) reduced cravings differently, and whether reductions in cravings were associated with changes in cortisol concentration. Using a within-participant, crossover design, 18 participants conducted three 15-min treatment sessions on separate days: passive, walking (45-50% heart rate reserve), and running (80-85% heart rate reserve) conditions.