Do anxiety sensitivity and impulsivity interact in predicting exercise involvement in emerging adult drinkers and cannabis users?

Anxiety sensitivity (AS; i.e. fear of arousal-related sensations) and impulsivity (i.e. tendency to act quickly without regard for longer-term consequences) represent risks for low physical activity participation. Theoretically, higher impulsivity may exacerbate the negative exercise behaviours of high AS individuals given the tendency of impulsive individuals to favour immediate (e.g. watching TV) over delayed rewards (e.g. the benefits of exercise). Our goal was to investigate the main and interactive effects of AS and impulsivity on physical activity levels at varying exercise intensities. Participants were 178 emerging adults (Mean age = 21.9; 68.8% women). Higher AS was associated with less engagement in vigorous intensity exercise. Moderator analyses revealed an AS x impulsivity interaction: high AS predicted significantly less engagement in moderate intensity exercise at low impulsivity levels and marginally more engagement in moderate intensity exercise at high impulsivity levels. Finally, higher impulsivity was associated with more time spent walking. Cognitive behavioural therapy for high AS, or teaching individuals with high AS to focus on immediate, external rewards of exercise, may help them engage in more physical activity. Given the wide-ranging physical and mental health benefits of exercise involvement, developing effective strategies to increase such involvement in high AS individuals is vital.

Gender differences in physical activity are partially explained by anxiety sensitivity in post-secondary students.

Objective: Female post-secondary students typically engage in less physical activity than their male counterparts. Given that women have greater anxiety sensitivity (ie, fear of arousal-based body sensations) and anxiety sensitivity is inversely related to physical activity participation, this study sought to determine if anxiety sensitivity mediates gender differences in self-reported physical activity. Participants and methods: A sample of 802 post-secondary students completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 and a Lifestyles Questionnaire in September 2017. Results: Women reported significantly less physical activity and significantly greater anxiety sensitivity. Anxiety sensitivity was significantly and inversely related to self-reported physical activity. A significant indirect effect of gender on physical activity via anxiety sensitivity was shown (B = 5.56, SE = 2.81, p < .05, 95% CI [1.31, 12.78], PM = .0843). Conclusions: Results suggest that anxiety sensitivity partially explains gender differences in physical activity. Anxiety sensitivity reduction interventions might increase physical activity participation and reduce the existing gender gap.