Is There a Link Between Physical Activity and Alcohol use?

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is discussed as a protective factor as well as a risk factor for alcohol consumption. Therefore, this study aimed at exploring a potential relationship between these behaviors. In a population-based cross-sectional study of 15,474 people living in Austria physical activity, alcohol consumption and demographic variables were assessed. Regression analysis including age and gender revealed no significant relationship between PA and alcohol consumption for the total sample. More alcohol consumption was found in men with low PA-levels. Focusing on a part of the population who consumed alcohol the weekend before, men with high PA-levels reported more alcohol consumption in comparison to men with moderate PA-levels. This study does not support a common alcohol–physical activity relationship. Prevention programs to increase PA levels from low to moderate combined with a reduction of alcohol intake in men who regularly drink alcohol should be considered

Keywords :

• physical activity
• exercise
• alcohol consumption
• health behavior
• population survey

THE AUTHORS

Martin Kopp, Ph.D., is a full Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology and director of the Department of Sport Science at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. His current research interests focus on physical activity and health behavior, risk behavior in alpine sport, self-regulation, competitive anxiety and quality of life.

Martin Burtscher, M.D., Ph.D., is a full Professor at the Institute of Sport Science, Medical Section, of the University of Innsbruck, Austria. His current research interests include exercise physiology with emphasis on mountain sports activities; physiological and pathophysiological effects of altitude and hypoxia; epidemiology and prevention of accidents and emergencies in skiing and mountaineering; life-style interventions in health and disease mainly focussing on exercise, environmental and nutritional aspects.

Prisca Kopp-Wilfling, M.Sc., is an independent research clinical health psychologist.

Gerhard Ruedl, Ph.D., is an assistant professor at the Department of Sport Science at the University of Innsbruck. His current research interests include risk factors (e.g. risk-taking behavior) leading to injuries and use of protective equipment (e.g. helmets) among alpine skiers and development of motor performance and weight status among school children.

Martin Kumnig, Ph.D., M.Sc., is an Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology at the Innsbruck Medical University and the Head of the Center for Advanced Psychology in Plastic and Transplant Surgery (CAPPTS) at the Department of Medical Psychology. Additionally, he is a member of the Reconstructive Transplantation Innsbruck (RTi) and founding member of the international Chauvet Research Group on the Psychosocial Assessment in Composite Tissue Allotransplantation.

Larissa Ledochowski, Ph. D., is a clinical and health psychologist and research assistant at the Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck. Her current research interest include the effects of physical activity on mood and craving for specific stimulants as well as the effects of exercise on psychological well-being in different patient/risk groups.

Gerhard Rumpold, M.Sc., Ph.D., Assoc. Prof., is a Clinical Psychologist and head of the Consiliar-and Liaison Unit at the Department of Psychological Medicine & Psychotherapy at the Medical University in Innsbruck–-Austria. His research interest includes quality of life, wellbeing, and patient reported outcomes in chronically ill patients.