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Volume 14
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10.3390/diseases14080272
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Systematic Review

Exercise Training Interventions as Therapeutic Approaches in Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Scoping Review of Direct Clinical Outcomes and Implementation Strategies

by
Karim Chamari
1,
Wissem Dhahbi
2,3,*,
Sumaya ElMadhoun
1,
James England
1,
Mohammad Mansi
1,
Hala Al Ali
1,*,
Jallal Toufiq
1 and
Khalifa Alkuwari
1
1
Naufar Centre, Doha P.O. Box 93097, Qatar
2
Research Unit “Sport Sciences, Health and Movement”, High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Kef 8100, Tunisia
3
Training Department, Police College, Qatar Police Academy, Doha P.O. Box 7157, Qatar
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Diseases 2026, 14(8), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases14080272
Submission received: 14 May 2026 / Revised: 17 June 2026 / Accepted: 3 July 2026 / Published: 27 July 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health Across the Lifespan: Integrating Multidisciplinary Perspectives)
Review Reports Versions Notes

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a major public health challenge, with high relapse rates despite established pharmacological and behavioral treatments. This scoping review maps evidence on structured exercise interventions as therapeutic approaches in SUD treatment, focusing on direct clinical outcomes, substance-specific effects, and implementation strategies. Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR and JBI guidance, searches of PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and SPORTDiscus identified human studies published from 2000 to 31 December 2024 that evaluated supervised exercise interventions in adults with SUDs. Results: Evidence from randomized trials and recent network meta-analyses indicates clinically relevant benefits for abstinence, craving reduction, mood symptoms, cognitive function, treatment retention, and withdrawal management. Moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise delivered three to four times weekly for at least 12 weeks, at approximately 180 MET-minutes per week, appears particularly effective, while combined aerobic and muscle-performance protocols may yield broader benefits. Conclusions: Exercise interventions show strong potential as adjuncts to SUD care. Implementation should incorporate individualized prescription, substance-specific safety screening, cardiovascular and psychiatric monitoring, and multidisciplinary coordination. Further long-term randomized trials, mechanistic studies, and cost-effectiveness evaluations are needed.
Keywords: exercise interventions; aerobic conditioning; resistance training; addiction treatment; relapse prevention; treatment adherence; neuroplasticity; implementation science; precision medicine exercise interventions; aerobic conditioning; resistance training; addiction treatment; relapse prevention; treatment adherence; neuroplasticity; implementation science; precision medicine

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Chamari, K.; Dhahbi, W.; ElMadhoun, S.; England, J.; Mansi, M.; Ali, H.A.; Toufiq, J.; Alkuwari, K. Exercise Training Interventions as Therapeutic Approaches in Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Scoping Review of Direct Clinical Outcomes and Implementation Strategies. Diseases 2026, 14, 272. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases14080272

AMA Style

Chamari K, Dhahbi W, ElMadhoun S, England J, Mansi M, Ali HA, Toufiq J, Alkuwari K. Exercise Training Interventions as Therapeutic Approaches in Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Scoping Review of Direct Clinical Outcomes and Implementation Strategies. Diseases. 2026; 14(8):272. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases14080272

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chamari, Karim, Wissem Dhahbi, Sumaya ElMadhoun, James England, Mohammad Mansi, Hala Al Ali, Jallal Toufiq, and Khalifa Alkuwari. 2026. "Exercise Training Interventions as Therapeutic Approaches in Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Scoping Review of Direct Clinical Outcomes and Implementation Strategies" Diseases 14, no. 8: 272. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases14080272

APA Style

Chamari, K., Dhahbi, W., ElMadhoun, S., England, J., Mansi, M., Ali, H. A., Toufiq, J., & Alkuwari, K. (2026). Exercise Training Interventions as Therapeutic Approaches in Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Scoping Review of Direct Clinical Outcomes and Implementation Strategies. Diseases, 14(8), 272. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases14080272

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