Differences in back extensor muscles fatigability for smoking and non-smoking athletes

Abstract

Background and objective: Empirical research on the influence of smoking on musculoskeletal health in athletes is sparse. The objective of this study was to compare back extensor muscles' strength (BEMS) before and after a fatigue induction protocol among smoking and non smoking male athletes. A pretest -posttest design was used to determine the difference in BEMS between smoking (N = 52) and non smoking (N = 52) athletes aged 18 and 30. A back and leg dynamometer was used to quantify BEMS while repetitive prone chest raise test was used to induce fatigue of the back extensor muscles. The smoking (23.1 ± 2.9 years) and non-smoking athletes (23.2 ± 2.37 years) were comparable in age (p = 0.855). Smoking athletes exhibited a significantly higher rating of perceived exertion (p = 0.007) and fatigue index (10.76% vs. 5.07%); and significant reduction in BEMS following fatigue induction (p < 0.05) compared with their non smoking counterparts. Smoking athletes have higher rates of muscular fatiguability and decreased back strength following back extensors tasks. Smoking is associated with increased muscle fatiguability and impairment of back strength in athletes.

The Effect of Tobacco Smoking on Musculoskeletal Health: A Systematic Review

“…Twelve studies examined the effects of smoking on physical and functional properties of skeletal muscle: 7 studies examined muscle strength, 2 studies examined muscle thickness, and 3 focused on maximal voluntary contraction. The findings of the 3 pretest/posttest, 2 prospective cohort, and 2 cross-sectional studies on muscle strength were that smoking was significantly associated with a reduction in back extensor muscle strength [ 202 , 208 ], grip strength [ 203 , 215 ], and knee muscle strength [ 207 ]. One prospective cohort study reported that parameters of body composition and muscle strength were increased in subjects who quit smoking compared to subjects who continued smoking [ 218 ].…”

Effect of tobacco consumption – A review

“…Mattey et al, 2011 41 Smokers showed high scores of Bath AS Functional Index as compared to nonsmokers. Adedoyin et al, 2010 42 Athletes who smoke showed high rate of exertion and fatigue index as compared to nonsmoker athletes. Kim & Kim, 2012 43 Smokers are more dependent on internal oblique and transverse abdominis muscles as compared to nonsmokers.…”

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