For University students who have been looking for a way to quite smoking, a new study may be able to put you on the right track. The Lifestyle Enhancement Program, which is in the second year of a four year study, is hoping to find a link between exercise and the addiction of nicotine.
"Through the study, we're hoping to find how better exercise habits can increase the likelihood of being able to quit smoking for good," said John Saunders, a coordinator with the LEAP program.
The study, Saunders said, is open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who has smoked an average of five cigarettes a day for at least a year. Participants in the program receive six weeks of nicotine patches, as well as either a physical activity or wellness program, sponsored by the YMCA.
"For the past two years, we've been getting a steady flow of people who are interested, we're hoping to keep that up," Saunders said. "It's a fairly intensive program, we keep in touch with every person to monitor their progress, and we bring them in three times every session to observe their physical changes."
Saunders said LEAP is a great benefit for those who are serious about quitting smoking, as the program also offers free counseling to help its participants kick the habit.
"Basically, the study is divided into two groups, the control group and the experimental group," Saunders said. "The control group basically consists of the wellness information along with our offered benefits - the experimental group will go through the physical fitness program, and when we're done, we'll see how the results compare."
The LEAP program has already gotten about half the participants it needs to complete its study but is hoping to recruit at least 200 morewithin the next two years. One of their major recruitment outlets has been through the Center for Community Health at The University. Saunders says college-aged people are especially interested in the program because they don't want smoking to have such long-term effects on their health.
One University student, communication major John Woodall, knows all too well the long-term-effects of smoking.
"My grandmother died of emphysema when I was younger," Woodall said, "Watching her struggle definitely helped me to keep away from habits like that."
Other students, however, don't think the effects are as bad as some may think.
"I've been smoking for a few years now, I haven't had any damage to my body that I know of," said Kody Grey, English sophomore. "But if people are trying to quit a program that uses physical fitness is that much better."
"So far the results have varied from person to person," Saunders said, referring to the first results he's received this semester. "The ages and other things like that are all different, so it's still a bit inconclusive. We're hoping to get an idea of the results once more of our current recruits complete the program."
