Vaping, Smoking, and the Physical Fitness of active Young Men.

Introduction: This text reviews a research article examining the relationship between e-cigarette use, traditional cigarette smoking, and the physical fitness of active young men. The study compares the physical fitness test results of current e-cigarette users, smokers, dual users, and never users.

Key Points:

* The study included 2,854 male soldiers, with 80.5% being never users, 2.2% current e-cigarette users, 12.5% current smokers, and 4.8% dual users.
* The study found that dual users had significantly lower scores than current smokers and never users on all three fitness events.
* Current e-cigarette users had poorer performance than never users on all three events, but this difference was not statistically significant for the sit-up test.
* The study controlled for age and hours of weekly personal PT and found that the group with no tobacco use had the fastest 2-mile run time and performed the most push-ups and sit-ups.
* The study notes that the toxicants in e-cigarette vapor include nicotine, volatile organic compounds, and metals, which can cause respiratory irritation and decreased exhaled nitric oxide levels.
* The study also notes that large cross-sectional surveys of adolescents show a possible association between ENDS use and respiratory symptoms, independent of smoking status or secondhand smoke exposure.
* The study concludes that individuals who use e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes average a lower level of fitness than individuals who abstain.

Main Message: This research article highlights the negative impact of e-cigarette use and traditional cigarette smoking on physical fitness in active young men. The study found that dual users of both products had significantly lower fitness scores than current smokers and never users on all three fitness events. The study also notes the potential respiratory irritation and decreased exhaled nitric oxide levels caused by the toxicants in e-cigarette vapor. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of promoting physical fitness and discouraging tobacco and e-cigarette use in active populations.

Dinkeloo E, Grier TL, Brooks RD, Jones Bh. Vaping, Smoking, and the Physical Fitness of active Young Men. american journal of preventive medicine. 2020;58(1):e31-e37. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2019.08.015