Moderators of the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Alcohol Consumption in College Students

OBJECTIVE: Among college students, several studies have found a positive relationship between physical activity and alcohol use. The current study tested gender, Greek status, and ethnicity as potential moderators of the physical activity-alcohol use relationship. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were college freshmen (n = 310) endorsing alcohol/drug use. METHODS: Students completed questionnaires assessing a number of health behaviors. RESULTS: Results indicated that gender and Greek status were significant moderators of the relationship between physical activity and alcohol consumption. There was a positive relationship between physical activity and alcohol use for men and Greeks, but not for females and non-Greeks. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that exercise does not serve as a protective factor for any of the subgroups of college students studied and is positively associated with drinking among college students who are men and/or involved with the Greek system.