The influence of active and passive smoking on the cardiorespiratory fitness of adults

Andresa Thier de Borba; Renan Trevisan Jost; Ricardo Gass; Fúlvio Borges Nedel; Dannuy Machado Cardoso; Hildegard Hedwig Pohl; Miriam Beatris Reckziegel; Valeriano Antonio Corbellini; Dulciane Nunes Paiva

doi:10.4081/mrm.2014.400

The influence of active and passive smoking on the cardiorespiratory fitness of adults

Authors

Andresa Thier de Borba In Health Promotion, University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC), Rio Grande do Sul
Renan Trevisan Jost Physiotherapy, University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC), Rio Grande do Sul
Ricardo Gass University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC), Rio Grande do Sul
Fúlvio Borges Nedel DSC in Epidemiology, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Santa Catarina
Dannuy Machado Cardoso Physiotherapy, University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC), Rio Grande do Sul
Hildegard Hedwig Pohl Physical Education. DSc in Regional Development, University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC), Rio Grande do Sul
Miriam Beatris Reckziegel MSc in Science of Human Movement, University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC), Rio Grande do Sul
Valeriano Antonio Corbellini DSc in Chemistry, University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC), Rio Grande do Sul
Dulciane Nunes Paiva Physiotherapy, DSc Medical Science, University of Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/mrm.2014.400

Keywords:

Cardiovascular diseases, Exercise test, Oxygen consumption, Smoking

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of active and passive smoking on cardiorespiratory responses in asymptomatic adults during a sub-maximal-exertion incremental test.

Methods: The participants (n = 43) were divided into three different groups: active smokers (n = 14; aged 36.5 ± 8 years), passive smokers (n = 14; aged 34.6 ± 11.9 years) and non-smokers (n = 15; aged 30 ± 8.1 years). They all answered the Test for Nicotine Dependence and underwent anthropometric evaluation, spirometry and ergospirometry according to the Bruce Treadmill Protocol.

Results: VO_2max differed statistically between active and non-smokers groups (p < 0.001) and between non-smokers and passive group (p=0.022). However, there was no difference between the passive and active smokers groups (p=0.053). Negative and significant correlations occurred between VO_2max and age (r = − 0.401, p = 0.044), percentage of body fat (r = − 0.429, p = 0.011), and waist circumference (WC) (r = − 0.382, p = 0.025).

Conclusion: VO_2max was significantly higher in non-smokers compared to active smokers and passive smokers. However, the VO_2max of passive smokers did not differ from active smokers.