Abstract
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 non-athletic 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.