Effect of cigarette smoking on working capacity

Physiological responses to exercise were measured in 39 males [19-45 years old] working as cleaners in the Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University. There was a graded reduction in maximum oxygen intake [VO2 max] of smokers. This reduction was greatest in those who smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day. A statistically significant decrease [p <0.05] was recorded in forced expiratory volume [FEV1] and forced vital capacity [FVC] between smokers and nonsmokers. The results of this study provide quantitative evidence of the adverse effect of smoking on physical working capacity and show the impairment of ventilatory capacity caused by smoking