@article{01JY3M7T2EQZZ1XAEX1955JZZX,
  abstract     = {{Background : 
Several studies have suggested a positive effect of occasional cannabis consumption on the frequency of leisure-time physical activity, possibly due to more motivation before, more enjoyment during, and better recovery after engaging in leisure-time physical exercise. While such an effect would contradict the stereotypical image of lower physical activity levels in cannabis users as compared to non-users, evidence has been mixed at best. The current study investigated this proposed association in a representative sample of the Belgian population. 

Methods : 
Data from four waves of the Belgian Health Interview Survey (HIS; repeated cross-sectional survey; 2001 – 2018) were used in a regression and propensity matching analysis to examine the association between past-month cannabis use and physical activity levels, while controlling for potentially confounding variables. A total of n = 19,936 individuals (48.9% female) aged 15–64 years were included in the analysis. We modelled physical activity in function of past-month cannabis use while adjusting for potential confounders. 

Results : 
Both the regression analysis and the propensity-matching analysis revealed no evidence in favor of a positive effect of past-month cannabis use on physical activity level (estimated OR = 0.97, 95% CI = [0.74, 1.28] and estimated RR = 0.90, 95% CI = [0.70; 1.16] respectively). Descriptive analyses of baseline characteristics suggested some clear differences between users and non-users that were in line with previous studies. 

Conclusions : 
There was no evidence suggesting that past-month cannabis users have better or worse physical activity levels compared to non-users in the Belgian population aged 15–64 years.}},
  articleno    = {{22}},
  author       = {{Vernaillen, Brent and Devleesschauwer, Brecht and Vansteelandt, Stijn and Gisle, Lydia and Drieskens, Sabine and Damian, Elena}},
  issn         = {{2522-5782}},
  journal      = {{JOURNAL OF CANNABIS RESEARCH}},
  keywords     = {{Cannabis,Physical activity,Belgium,Health Interview Survey,Propensity,Complex survey design,Exercise,Propensity Scores,DEPRESSION,PREVALENCE,BEHAVIORS,OUTCOMES,ADULTS,AGE}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{13}},
  title        = {{Cannabis use is not associated with altered levels of physical activity: evidence from the repeated cross-sectional Belgian Health Interview Survey}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00278-8}},
  volume       = {{7}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}

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