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Introduction: One reason for the limited effectiveness of the available smoking cessation methods is the fact that the causes of tobacco addiction have not been adequately explained yet. Numerous anti-smoking programs aimed at women involve intense physical activity. The goal of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of health training for smoking cessation by young women in connection with the dopamine receptor gene (D4DR) in their genetic profile.Material and methods: Forty-eight adult female smokers were randomly assigned to: 1) a concentration training group, or 2) an aerobic and concentration training group. Genetic and phenotypic data were obtained from 48 participants. Genotyping was performed for allele 7 in the D4DR gene.Results: Individuals with allele 7 in the dopamine receptor D4 gene have two times greater chances (OR = 2.13: 95% CI: 0.91-4.96) of quitting smoking than individuals without allele 7. No statistical significance was revealed (p = 0.0805). Individuals undertaking aerobic training in combination with concentration training are three times more likely (OR = 3.06: 95% CI: 1.03-9.05) to quit smoking than individuals who do not perform aerobic training (p = 0.0439).Conclusions: The results of the study show that an intensive, 6-week health training program had a significant influence on smoking cessation. Smoking quitters, who are genetically predisposed and decide to take up aerobic training in combination with concentration training, have much greater chances of quitting smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of Harris and Harris'' (1984) concentration grid exercise, an exercise proposed to enhance concentration and visual scanning speed [Harris, D.V., & Harris, B. L. (1984). The athlete''s guide to sport psychology: Mental skills for physical people. New York: Leisure Press]. Method: Twenty-eight male collegiate soccer players were assigned to either a 9-week concentration grid training condition or a control condition. Concentration grid training consisted of 9 weekly meetings with an experienced sport psychologist with practice assignments in between sessions. During the first, fifth and final weeks of the experiment all participants completed a battery of concentration tasks (a visual search task, a video observation task and a concentration grid). Results: A series of MANOVA''s and ANOVA''s indicated no significant interaction effects indicating that the concentration training group did not improve to a greater extent than the control group in any measure of concentration. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for further research examining the efficacy of the concentration grid exercise using different training protocols and different dependent measures. In addition, the results also indicate support for sport psychologists who have urged caution with the use of the concentration grid exercise in applied sport psychology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]