Run to Quit: An evaluation of a scalable physical activity-based smoking cessation intervention

- Physical activity can aid in cessation and provide health benefits to smokers.
- Over a 10-week intervention, smoking decreased while running and health increased.
- It is possible to use community running groups to deliver a cessation program.
- Run to Quit holds potential as a multiple health behaviour change intervention.

IntroductionPhysical activity may hold promise as a potential smoking cessation tactic. Further, increasing activity levels in smokers may lead to additional physical and mental health benefits beyond smoking cessation. This study evaluated Run to Quit, a national initiative targeting smoking cessation through group-based running clinics.MethodsAdult male and female smokers (N = 168) took part in running clinics in 21 locations across Canada. The program was investigated using a pre-post design. Participants completed questionnaires assessing physical activity, running, smoking, and other markers of health at weeks 1, 3, and 10 in the 10-week program as well as at 6-month follow up. Carbon monoxide (CO) testing at weeks 1 and 10 provided an objective indicator of smoking status and weekly coach logs were used to assess implementation.Results50.8% of participants who completed the program achieved 7-day point prevalence (intent-to-treat = 19.6%), 90.8% reported reducing their smoking, and there was a significant decrease in CO (p = 0.001). There was a significant increase in self-reported running frequency (times/week) and physical and mental health from baseline to end of program, p's < 0.05. Results of the 6-month follow-up indicated that 19.6% of participants self-reported not smoking and 20.8% were still running regularly (M = 3 times/week).ConclusionsAlthough attrition was high and future program refinement is required, Run to Quit demonstrates potential as a multiple health behaviour change intervention that may improve both physical and mental health in individuals who smoke.