Smoking and Musculoskeletal Injury Risk

In a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, researchers found a definitive link in the risk for musculoskeletal injuries and smoking. The scientists chose to focus their study on military service members, due to the fact that this population generally has a higher incidence of smoking than their civilian counterparts.

The researchers found the risk to average smokers is 31% higher for men and 23% higher for women. But the study also revealed that the risk rose exponentially as smoking levels increased, as the heaviest smokers had a sobering 84% increase for men and 56% for women.

Although not all the studies controlled for all other possible contributing factors like fitness levels and alcohol use, the consistency and correlation of the results revealed in both male and female subjects strengthened the veracity of their findings.

The bottom line is, there is now another reason to kick the habit, before it kicks you.

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