Psychophysiological changes of cigarette smokers to stimuli of aerobic and anaerobic exercises

Abstract

This study was aimed to determine the chronic effects of smoking on some psychophysiological performances in healthy male volunteers with 20-45 years of age and working at the Police General Hospital. The volunteers were divided without randomization into 2 groups of 10 smokers and 10 nonsmokers. Then, the left arm and left leg of both groups were stimulated by hot water (42), cold water (12), aerobic exercise and anaerobic exercise to legs. Psycho-neurological performances changes before and after the above stimulations were measured. The results were 1) ‘Psycho-neurological performance’ before Astand exercise and Wingate exercise showed was no significant difference between both groups in terms of visual reaction time (VRT), response time and tapping speed. However, after exercise, warned auditory reaction time of the right big toe, warned tactile reaction time of the right lateral malleolus stimulation and the level of the right index finger response and warned tactile reaction time at 7th cervical spine level of the right index finger response were significantly higher in smokers than nonsmokers; 2) ‘Physical performance’ in nonsmokers in relation to oxygen consumption and agility was significantly higher than in smokers. In conclusion, smoking was associated with reduction in physical performance, psycho-neurological performance and vasomotor responses. This may explain smoking related atherosclerotic changes of blood vessels in the brain and organs and the severity may depend on duration and amount of smoking.