Compensatory physical activity: Impact on type of physical activity and physical activity habits among female young adults

Abstract

Engaging in physical activity (PA) to compensate for drinking-related calories is common among female college students. The objective was to test whether frequency of compensatory PA was associated with type of PA (Study 1) and PA habit strength (Study 2). Study 1 utilized a cross-sectional design. Female undergraduates (N = 198) completed questionnaires assessing frequency of compensatory PA and PA types. In Study 2, female undergraduates (N = 280) were assessed on frequency of compensatory PA at Time 1 and PA habit strength at Time 2, 4-weeks later. Study 1 revealed that frequency of compensatory PA was significantly related to high intensity PA but was unrelated to low or moderate intensity PA. Study 2 revealed that frequency of compensatory PA at Time 1 was a significant predictor of PA habit strength at Time 2. The studies advance our understanding of the immediate and long-lasting impact of compensatory PA on behaviors and habits.

Keywords:

• Alcohol
• Compensatory behaviors
• exercise
• physical activity

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received approval from George Washington University.