The Impact of Smoking on Maximum Oxygen Uptake

Abstract

Background: This systematic literature review summarizes the impact of smoking on maximal oxygen uptake (maximum [Formula: see text]).

Methods: Full-text articles were retrieved if the abstract met the assigned criteria. A total of 9 articles were included in the final review based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These included articles assessed the effects of tobacco smoking on maximum [Formula: see text] values.

Results: Half of the articles reported a significant difference in maximum [Formula: see text] scores between smokers and nonsmokers, with smokers having a lower maximum [Formula: see text]. The other half of the articles did not identify significant differences between smokers and nonsmokers. One study found a significant difference in maximum [Formula: see text] in only one age group (ie, 20-29 y), but not any of the other age groups.

Conclusions: More research is needed on the effects of smoking on maximum [Formula: see text] to better understand any relationships or causations.

Keywords: aerobic capacity; cigarette smoking; cigarettes; maximal oxygen uptake; maximum ˙VO2; maximum ˙VO2 test; smokers; smoking; tobacco cigarettes.