Athletes are commonly perceived as powerful, healthy, energetic and vibrant. They exercise regularly and complement this with a healthy, balanced diet that leaves them primed for optimum athletic performance. But, improbable as it seems, some athletes combine this healthy routine with smoking, which adversely affects performance. Athletes who smoke simply cannot run as fast, or for as long, as they suffer severe breathing and circulatory problems. To become a successful athlete, you must quit smoking.
Lungs
Your lungs are the organs that enable you to breathe and, as an athlete, you need strong lung capacity to succeed. But as you smoke, more than 400 poisonous chemicals including nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide pass directly into your lungs, and they make it harder for you breathe. Meanwhile, small segments of tar pass directly into your lungs when you smoke. The tiny pieces of tar harm the cells in your lungs' airways. Your brain will send more cells to protect the damaged lungs, but each time you smoke more of these cells are killed. The dead cells omit matter that prevents proper lung function. The Lung Association explains that smoking harms the repair system of your lungs and damages their air sacs. This means you will be unable to get the oxygen your body needs. Your muscles are dependent on oxygen, and when you exercise they need additional oxygen to repair themselves quickly. You will find yourself short of breath because your lungs cannot provide your heart and muscles with the oxygen they need as you exercise. Smoking may leave athletes with asthma, bronchitis or emphysema, which make it impossible for you to exercise to your full capability.
Circulation
Smoking affects athletes' hearts and circulatory systems. Your blood vessels will constrict as you smoke, explains Act Now BC, which leaves you with high blood pressure and tired muscles. This is because blood will not flow quickly enough to your muscles as your arteries are blocked with plaque. Your muscles will be weaker and unable to withstand the strain of playing sport.
Injuries
Smoking makes athletes more likely to sustain an injury. Your muscles, heart and brain do not receive the oxygen they need to function properly, so your physical and mental alertness declines, leaving you more susceptible to becoming faint and landing awkwardly, or making an incorrect decision when dizzy and sustaining an injury. Smoking also weakens your immune system, leaving you more susceptible to debilitating viruses, and smoking weakens your bones, explains the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, meaning it will take your body longer to heal when you do sustain an injury.
Considerations
You should not substitute cigarettes for cigars, bongs or pipes, as all forms of smoking have a negative impact on athletic performance. If you smoke marijuana, you will notice the same negative effects as when smoking tobacco, but you will also suffer from poor coordination, perception and concentration.
Quitting
Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your respiratory and circulatory systems. Three months after you quit, your lung capacity will increase, and any breathing problems will be a distant memory.
