[Recovery from exercise in trained smokers]. / Récupération post-exercice chez le sportif fumeur.

AIM: Assess the influence of tobacco on recovery after exercise in sportsmen. METHODS: Sixty-three smokers aged 18-33 years, practising soccer, participated in this study. These subjects belonged to second division congolese league clubs. Heart rate (HR) was studied during recovery of moderate exercise (Ruffer's test), but also recovery index and arterial pressure. Kinetics of the HR was studied for 7 min for recovery. A control group consisted of 50 non smokers, practising soccer at similar level. RESULTS: Smokers showed heart rate values significantly higher (P < 0.001). Non smokers presented a low recovery index. The recovery has generally two components: the first is slow in smokers, while the second is a fast one. However, recovery rate for the smokers was more rapid during the alactic phase. There exists also differences with regards to smoking tobacco dependence: when compared to great smokers, lower smokers exhibited a faster first phase and a slower second phase. These differences were significant. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The smokers and non smokers differences are discussed with reference to the effects of nicotinemia and carbon monoxide on sympathetic-parasympathetic balance. Cardiovascular changes during exercise have a twofold control: decrease a vagal tone and increase of sympathetic activity. The comparison of smokers and non smokers concerning recovery led to suppose that there exists a difference in regards of the catecholaminergic sensitivity. The problem of thermoregulation must not be neglected during recovery. As smokers are considered, cutaneous thermolysis is perhaps important when these subjects perform exercise in ambient hot air. Here against, it is known that thermolysis mechanisms are not similar in smokers and non smokers. In conclusion, this study showed that smoking tobacco induce a lower physical condition in sportmen. Recovery rate after exercise may function as a predictor of fitness in smokers.

[Effect of smoking on weight and cardiopulmonary capacities in young athletes]. / Effets du tabagisme sur le poids corporel et les capacités cardiorespiratoires de jeunes sportifs.

The aim of the study was to determine wether smokers practising sports have reduced weight, if recuperation time after moderate exercise and maximal aerobic power were lowered. Thousand young soldiers [50 smokers (S), 50 no smokers (NS)] averaging 24 years in age were studied. The subjects performed to exhaustion on Ruffier test, then a maximal exercise with Cooper test. Several biometrical and physiological parameters were evaluated: weight (W), percent of body fat (PBF), body mass index (BMI), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and recuperation index (RI). Kinetics of heart rate (HR) were studied for 7 min considering time constant (1 min) and delay for recovery. The smokers showed significant differences for W (p < 0.001), PBF (p < 0.05), VO2 max (p < 0.01) and recuperation index (p < 0.001). Maximal aerobic power were 45.8 +/- 2.7 and 50.3 +/- 3.2 ml/kg/min for S and NS, and RI were 7.5 +/- 0.9 (S) and 5.0 +/- 1 (NS). figure 1 shows that HR recovery of S has generally two components: the first was fast, the second was a slone none. The smokers who presented a great dependence to tobacco smoking had a significant lower RI (p < 0.001) as those subjects with little tobacco dependence (Table 5). The smokers had lower values of VO2 max, and there exists a tobacco dependence difference. Recuperation time for the aerobically well trained S subjects was more rapid during the lactic phase. Note that correlations obtained between the VO2 max and RI were significant (r = - 0.788; p < 0.05). The smokers and no smokers differences are discussed with reference to nicotinemia effects and the sympathetic-parasympathetic unbatance of influences. The comparison of smokers groups concerning cardiovascular data led to suppose that there exists a tobacco dependence difference in regards of the catecholaminergic sensitivity. In conclusion, this study showed that smoker practising a physical activity have a reduced weight, a higher recuperation time and an anaerobic limitation influenced by the state of tobacco dependence.