What is Fit2Quit?
Fit2Quit is a trial being conducted by the Clinical Trials Research Unit (The University of Auckland). It's aim is to see if tobacco smokers who receive an exercise programme based at their home and in community facilities, in addition to usual smoking cessation care provided by Quitline (telephone smoking cessation support + nicotine replacement therapy) are more likely to have quit smoking at six months after their quit day than those who receive usual Quitline services alone.
Can exercise help people quit smoking?
Smoking cessation is associated with tobacco withdrawal symptoms such as sleep disturbances, irritability, anxiety, depression, and cravings as well as weight gain. Regular exercise may improve these symptoms, help reduce weight gain and improve mood. Previous studies have found positive short-term effects for smoking quit rates but have been short in duration and involved small sample sizes. A large well-designed randomised controlled trial is needed to determine the effect of exercise on quitting rates.
Who can participate?
The Fit2Quit trial started enrolling participants in February 2010. People from New Zealand who contact Quitline (0800 778 778), a smoking cessation service provider in New Zealand, and who indicate that they are willing to take part in research and who meet certain criteria will be invited to participate in the Fit2Quit trial.
How will we know if it works?
At the end of the trial we will be able to determine whether exercise improves quit rates over and above current quit support services alone.
