Cigarette Smoking: Nicotine, Carbon Monoxide, and the Physiological Effects on Exercise Responses

Abstract

Worldwide, tobacco use is considered the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. The most common form of tobacco use is cigarette smoking. Smoking increases a person’s risk for diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Associated with these increased risks for disease is a shortened lifespan in smokers. Research has also shown that cigarette smoking alters the body’s response to exercise. Nicotine and carbon monoxide are two compounds in cigarette smoke that may affect cardiorespiratory function, thereby modifying the body’s exercise response. Additionally, research has shown that compared to nonsmokers, smokers demonstrate a greater reliance on glucose as a fuel source during exercise. A focus of this review is on the cigarette smoke compounds nicotine and carbon monoxide and the mechanisms by which these compounds affect the human body. Also addressed are the physiological effects of cigarette smoking on exercise tolerance, aerobic capacity, and substrate utilization.