Affiliations: [a] Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria | [b] Physiotherapy Department, College of Medicine,
University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Chidozie E. Mbada BMR MSC (PT),
Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi
Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Tel.: +234 8028252543; E-mail:
doziembada@yahoo.com
Abstract: Background and objective: Empirical research on the influence of
smoking on musculoskeletal health in athletes is sparse. The objective of this
study was to compare back extensor muscles' strength (BEMS) before and after a
fatigue induction protocol among smoking and non smoking male athletes. A
pretest-posttest design was used to determine the difference in BEMS between
smoking (N=52) and non smoking (N=52) athletes aged 18 and 30. A back
and leg dynamometer was used to quantify BEMS while repetitive prone chest
raise test was used to induce fatigue of the back extensor muscles. The smoking
(23.1 ± 2.9 years) and non-smoking athletes (23.2 ± 2.37 years) were
comparable in age (p= 0.855). Smoking athletes exhibited a significantly
higher rating of perceived exertion (p=0.007) and fatigue index (10.76%
vs. 5.07%); and significant reduction in BEMS following fatigue induction
(p < 0.05) compared with their non smoking counterparts. Smoking athletes
have higher rates of muscular fatiguability and decreased back strength
following back extensors tasks. Smoking is associated with increased muscle
fatiguability and impairment of back strength in athletes.
Keywords: Back extensors, dynamometer, muscle strength, smoking, athletes
