To synthesize published literature that has tested the relationship between physical activity and alcohol use.
Data Source:
A systematic review of literature published between January 2005 and May 2015 was conducted by searching the databases: PsychInfo, Medline, and Pubmed.
Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria:
Inclusion criteria: must have tested for the relationship between physical activity and alcohol use; used adult samples within the United States. Exclusion criteria: utilized samples from outside the United States, adolescents, or alcohol dependent and heavy drinkers.
Data Extraction:
Data were extracted from studies that achieved a quality score of 4 or greater. The following information was recorded for each study: sample characteristics, the variable that served as the predictor, study design, covariates included in analyses, and the direction/nature of the relationship.
Data Synthesis:
The search captured 1036 unique articles, 16 of which were included in the final systematic review.
Results:
Nearly 88% of the studies with college students and 75% of studies with nonstudent adults reported a positive relationship between physical activity and alcohol use.
Conclusion:
Research published in the past decade implies a positive relationship between physical activity and alcohol use. Findings have important implications for the design of health promotion programs targeting physical activity and alcohol use.
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