Effects of smoking tobacco on exercise tolerance in healthy subjects

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of smoking on exercise tolerance in middle aged smokers. Sixty two healthy subjects 55 males and 7 females with mean age 35 +/- 7 years were studied. There were 47 smokers (smoking 21.5 cigarettes per day for a mean of 16 years) and 15 non-smokers (control group). Resting pulmonary function was normal in both groups, however smokers had significantly lower VC as well as MEF 50 and MEF 75. A maximal incremental exercise on cycloergometer using ramp protocol was performed. Ventilatory parameters (breath by breath method) together with transcutaneous oxygen saturation (every minute), heart rate (continuously) and blood pressure (every minute) were recorded. Significant differences in exercise tolerance in studied groups were observed. Smokers tolerated a lower maximal workload for a shorter time and deferred significantly in both maximal oxygen consumption and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold. Five persons, all smokers did not reach the anaerobic threshold. In five smokers a decrease in ECG ST segment was observed. No differences were found in breathing reserve, heart reserve or maximal oxygen pulse. It seems that a decreases exercise performance is due to cardiac limitation.