Effects of smoking on respiratory flows in young, physically active adults

Abstract

The prevalence of respiratory diseases in Lithuania, such as chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and asthma, has been increasing across all age groups. Similarly, smoking rates among young people in Lithuania are high, with one in five young adults reporting that they smoke. While there are extensive long-term studies on the health effects of tobacco and its strong link to various pathologies, there is still limited knowledge about the short-term health effects of smoking, especially e-cigarettes, among young adults. The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare pulmonary parameters in non-smoking and smoking physically active and non-active adults. Spirometry, a widely used method for respiratory functional diagnostics, was used to test self-reported physically active and non-physically active smokers and non-smokers. The main results show that physically active non-smokers had significantly higher respiratory flows compared to other groups. Additionally, e-cigarette smokers have significantly lower inspiratory flows compared to all other groups. While all groups exhibit normal lung resistance, tobacco smokers have significantly higher resistance compared to e-cigarette smokers. Physically active males who smoke e-cigarettes have a smaller PIF/PEF ratio, indicating enhanced additional clearance due to mechanically stimulated airway flow. In conclusion, these studies provide valuable insights into pulmonary ventilatory function and have implications for understanding the impact of new tobacco alternatives on young people. Physical activity partially blunts the changes in the respiratory system caused by at least two years of smoking e-cigarettes or tobacco cigarettes.