Exercise preferences of patients in substance abuse treatment

While emerging studies have demonstrated the benefit of exercise in early recovery from substance use disorders, recruitment and adherence to exercise interventions have been challenging. Tailoring interventions based on patient exercise preferences may address these concerns. Ninety-seven (N = 97; age = 41.6 years; 44% female) patients were recruited from an intensive substance abuse outpatient program and filled out questionnaires about their exercise preferences. Most (71%) patients were not currently engaged in an exercise program (i.e., exercising less than 20 min/day for 3 days/week over the last 6 months). The vast majority (95%) expressed an interest in engaging in an exercise program specifically designed for persons in substance use recovery and 89% reported wanting to initiate an exercise program within the first 3 months of sobriety. Specific exercise preferences regarding type of physical activity, exercise intervention components, and perceived benefits and barriers to exercise differed between males and females. These findings suggest low rates of regular exercise, high level of interest in engaging in exercise during early recovery, and point toward the need to tailor interventions to the unique preferences of individuals.

► Patients in substance abuse treatment exhibit low rates of physical activity.
► There is high interest in beginning an exercise program in early recovery.
► Male and female substance abusing patients have different exercise preferences.
► Using preferences to tailor interventions may aid the effectiveness of future work.