Effects of Chronic Hookah Consumption on Aerobic Capacity, Resting and Sub-maximal Heart Rate in Men Who Are Trained and Untrained

Hookah consumption is an underlying decline in lung function. However, data are limited on the physiological effects in young trained and untrained men. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic hookah consumption on aerobic capacity (VO2max), resting and submaximal heart rate in men who are trained and untrained.

Forty-nine young men (18-34 years) were assigned into the following groups: a. trained-hookah (n = 11), b. untrained-hookah (n = 14), c. trained (n = 12) and d. untrained (n = 12). The trained men had done at least three sessions (1-hour for each) of aerobic training a week during the past three years, while the untrained men had continued a sedentary lifestyle. Hookah smokers had smoked at least three times a week during the period. The VO2max, resting and submaximal heart rate indices were measured in all subjects.

One-way analysis of variance showed that VO2max was significantly higher in trained group than the other groups, although no significant difference was observed in the other groups. Resting and submaximal heart rate were remarkably lower in the trained groups than in the untrained groups, but no significant difference was noted in the other groups.

The results of the present study indicated that hookah smoking has a negative effect on aerobic capacity in men who are trained; however, it seems that the effect of aerobic training is higher than the effect of hookah on resting and submaximal heart rate indices.