Acute effects of resistance exercise on affect, arousal, and urge to drink in temporarily abstinent young adult hazardous drinkers.

Background And Objective: Young adults frequently engage in hazardous alcohol consumption, and many meet the diagnostic criteria for an alcohol use disorder. The urge to drink is a defining symptom of alcohol dependence, and it is closely tied to and exacerbated by negative affect. This study examined the acute effect of resistance exercise on affect, arousal, and drinking urges in young adult (ages 21-40) hazardous drinkers.

Methods: On two separate occasions, 14 participants underwent an 18-hour alcohol abstinence before completing, in a counter-balanced manner, a 20-minute session of resistance exercise and a 20-minute video control.

Results: Significant improvements in affect (t = 2.07, p = .04) and arousal (t = 4.09, p < .01), but not urge to drink, were found with exercise.

Conclusion: Single sessions of resistance exercise can positively alter affect and arousal during alcohol abstinence.

Scientific Significance: Practical exercise interventions designed to alter affect and arousal could potentially alter drinking. (Am J Addict 2016;25:623-627).