Effects of cigarette smoking on handgrip strength and muscular endurance in young adults

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of cigarette use on handgrip strength (HGS) in young adult individuals in the context of gender and hand dominance, and to explore the physiological and behavioral mechanisms of this relationship. Methods: In this observational study involving a total of 140 university students, participants were divided into three groups based on their smoking status: never smokers, former smokers, and current smokers. Three repeated HGS measurements were performed on both the dominant and non-dominant hands of each individual using a Jamar brand hand dynamometer. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc tests. Results: Although smokers exhibited higher HGS values in the initial measurements, a significant performance decline was observed by the third measurement. This decline was more pronounced in the non-dominant hand (up to 4.3 kg), indicating impairments in muscular endurance and fatigue tolerance. The effect was observed across all groups regardless of gender and hand dominance. The findings suggest that smoking adversely affects not only maximal muscle strength but also neuromuscular coordination and recovery capacity. Conclusion: Cigarette use has significantly negative effects on muscle performance and fatigue tolerance. Handgrip strength is an effective indicator not only of peripheral muscle strength but also of systemic health status and lifestyle factors. It is recommended that HGS measurements be used more widely in public health screenings and smoking cessation programs.