Comparison of the Respiratory Muscle Thickness and Lung Capacities during Stairs Up-Down between Individuals with and without Smoking

Comparison of the Respiratory Muscle Thickness and Lung Capacities during Stairs Up-Down between Individuals with and without Smoking

Background It is known that smoking reduces the effectiveness of aerobic exercises and can have negative effects throughout the body. Purpose This study analyzed the effect on the thickness of accessory muscles of respiration, as well as on forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), during a 20-minute stair-climbing exercise for young male and female adults with and without smoking. Study design Pre-test post-test control group design Methods Twenty subjects were divided into two groups [smokers (n=10) and non-smokers (n= 10)]. This study measured the changes in the thickness of the sternocleidomastoid and pectoralis minor muscle, as well as FVC and FEV1. Results The results of the study showed that the thickness of the sternocleidomastoid and pecto¬ralis minor muscles increased significantly in both the smoker and non-smoker groups after the stair-climbing exercise, although the thickness of the pectoralis minor muscle increased more significantly among smokers compared to non-smokers. In contrast, no significant differences in FVC and FEV1 were observed between the two groups. Conclusions Based on the results of this study, smokers should understand that increases of the accessory muscle of respiration while ascending and descending stairs can interfere with normal breathing patterns.