Motor symptoms similar to parkinsonism in heavy smokers.
The major objective in this study was a comparison of the motor performance of young male smokers and non-smokers. We tested the endurance capacity, maximal isometric strength, speed of whole-body movements, flexibility and balancing ability of 74 smokers and 118 non-smokers. Then we measured the balancing ability, the visual reaction time and the speed of limb movements of non-smokers and heavy smokers depending on the time of abstinence from smoking. The balancing ability of heavy smokers deteriorates in comparison with non-smokers after an abstinence period of 11-120 min by 42% (p < 0.05), and after more than 120 min by 51% (p < 0.01). Heavy smokers had a longer reaction time both after 2 hours of abstinence and after smoking. The speed of limb movements is decreased after not smoking for a brief period compared to non-smokers and clearly improved immediately after smoking. This deterioration of motor performance of heavy smokers after a short period of abstinence appears similar to the motor symptoms of Parkinsonism and is "treated" by cigarette smoking.
Burtscher
M
M
Health Section of the Austrian Alpine Club, General Hospital of Carinthia, Klagenfurt, Austria.
Likar
R
R
Pechlaner
C
C
Kunz
F
F
Philadelphy
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology