EFFECT OF AEROBIC EXERCISE ON VENTILATORY FUNCTIONS IN SMOKING ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of aerobic exercise on the ventilatory functions in smoking male adolescents. Sixty cigarette smoking male adolescents participated in the study, their ages ranged from 14 to 19 years. They were divided into two equal groups. The exercise group's subjects performed aerobic exercise, while the control group's subjects did not take part in the exercise intervention program and were instructed to maintain their usual activities during the experimental period. The program continued for 10 weeks (three sessions per week), ventilatory functions were measured at the beginning and after the exercise program for both groups. No statistically significant changes were found in ventilatory functions. The investigation concluded that 10 weeks of aerobic exercise were insufficient to result in significantly positive changes in almost all ventilatory functions, except for the MVV. So, it is recommended to use

aerobic exercise in order to improve the MVV in smoking male adolescents.