Physical activity is associated with reduced health risks, whereas alcohol consumption has adverse health effects; nonetheless, many college students fail to meet recommended physical activity levels and continue to consume alcohol, including binge drinking. A positive correlation has been observed between aerobic exercise and alcohol consumption among college students, with a substantial number of students engaging in compensatory behaviors, such as eating or exercising, to prepare for or offset alcohol consumption. While studies examining the relationship between aerobic exercise and alcohol consumption have been increasing, research on the association between muscle-strengthening exercise and alcohol consumption remains limited. This study aims to analyze the relationship between self-reported muscle-strengthening exercise and two indicators of alcohol consumption, considering demographic variables and aerobic exercise.
The study employed an online survey to collect information on demographics, physical activity, and alcohol consumption from 1,623 students enrolled in general health and wellness courses at a large university in the northeastern United States. Data were collected between August 2018 and February 2020 and were analyzed using linear and logistic regression models to examine the association between muscle-strengthening activity and alcohol consumption.
According to the study, muscle-strengthening activity emerged as a significant predictor of both total alcohol consumption and binge drinking. Demographic variables and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were controlled for, yet weekly frequency of muscle-strengthening activities significantly predicted total alcohol consumption (p < .001). Meeting the guideline of at least two muscle-strengthening sessions per week was likewise a significant predictor (p < .001). Specifically, each additional day of muscle-strengthening activity per week was associated with a 20.9% increase in the likelihood of reporting binge drinking. Furthermore, individuals who met the guideline for muscle-strengthening activities (≥2 sessions per week) had a 93.2% higher likelihood of reporting binge drinking compared to those who did not meet the guideline. These findings underscore the strong association between muscle-strengthening activities and alcohol-related behaviors, highlighting the importance of considering this type of physical activity in studies examining alcohol consumption among young adults.
Takeaway: Muscle-strengthening exercise frequency is linked to higher alcohol consumption and binge drinking among college students.