Assessing Impact of Smoking on Skeletal Muscle Strength among Walter Sisulu University Students, Eastern Cape Province in South Africa

Document Type : Original Article

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Human Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking is a global risk factor that causes death. Previous studies have focused more attention on the deleterious effects of smoking for high mortality diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, with less research attention on other body systems such as the musculoskeletal system.
Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cigarette smoking on muscle strength among Walter Sisulu University students.
Patients and Methods: Smoking and non-smoking male participants aged between 18 to 24 years were recruited, with 30 smokers and 33 non-smokers in the study. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire. Body composition was assessed using an Omron BF 511, and muscle strength was measured using a PowerLab 26T connected to a computer by assessing hand grip strength.
Results: Muscle strength as assessed by endurance and dynamic time were significantly higher in non-smokers than smokers [28.4±9.3 vs 20.9±10.2; p=0.000963] and [26.8±9.5 vs 18.2±9.5, p=0.000301], respectively. Additionally, muscle percentage was significantly higher in non-smokers than smokers, [42.0[3.5] vs 37.5 [8.0]; p= 0.025].
Conclusion: The muscle strength of the smokers’ group was lower than that of the non-smokers among Walter Sisulu University students as assessed by a hand grip dynamometer PowerLab 26T.

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International Journal of Medical Arts

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 07 May 2024

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