Several studies have evaluated the effects of passive smoking on lung volumes in young adults and children. However, limited
studies evaluated the effects of passive smoking on athlete and non-athlete young adults. This study aimed to evaluate the different
effects of passive smoking on lung volumes between young adult athletes and non-athlete peers. Sixty-three young adults were
recruited in this case-control study, their age was 17-22 years, were divided into three groups; two athletic groups and one nonathletic
group (n=21). The athletic groups consisted of 21 basketball players, and 21 cyclists. Lung volumes were assessed and each
group was sub-classified into passive smoking (PS) and non-exposed to smoking (NEx). In the two athletic groups, the outcomes
exhibited a significant increase of forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec and peak expiratory flow in the passive
smokers and non-exposed subjects when compared with non-athletic group. However, there were non-significant differences
between the two athletic groups. In accordance with the study results, it was concluded that sport activities have beneficial effects
on the lung volumes when compared with non-athletic young adults. No differences were noticed between the two athletic groups
on lung volumes.
Keywords: Passive smoking, lung volumes, young adults, athletes