Short Exercise Sessions May Help Smokers Reduce Immediate Nicotine Cravings, Study Finds - Video

A brisk walk may do more than clear your mind-it could also help smokers fight nicotine cravings and improve their chances of quitting for good.

A new systematic review led by researchers from the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA) at Adelaide University suggests that exercise can play a meaningful role in smoking cessation. Published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, the review found that structured exercise programs modestly improve quit success, while even a single workout session can rapidly reduce cigarette cravings.

The review analyzed 59 randomized controlled trials involving more than 9,000 participants. Researchers examined both long-term exercise programs and the immediate effects of single exercise sessions. The interventions included aerobic exercise, resistance training, yoga, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and lifestyle-based physical activity.

The findings showed that people participating in exercise programs were 15% more likely to maintain continuous smoking abstinence compared with control groups. Exercise also increased short-term quit success and helped participants smoke an average of two fewer cigarettes per day.

One of the strongest effects was seen in craving reduction. Even a single session of exercise produced moderate-to-large decreases in nicotine cravings immediately afterward, with benefits lasting up to 30 minutes. Higher-intensity exercise appeared especially effective during moments of strong urge, which are often linked to relapse.

Aerobic exercise showed the most consistent long-term benefits for quitting, while high-intensity activities were most effective for immediate craving relief.

Researchers caution that exercise should not replace established smoking cessation treatments, as the evidence for long-term abstinence remains limited. However, they say exercise may serve as a valuable complementary tool that is affordable, flexible, and beneficial for both physical and mental health.

REFERENCE: Singh, B., et al. (2026) Exercise-based interventions for smoking cessation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sport and Health Science. DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2026.101138. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254626000190?via%3Dihub