How does smoking affect my breathing, lungs, and muscles??

Question

I noticed how exhausted I was after playing basketball recently probably because I am constantly smoking. . . Does smoking affect muscle fatigue? How does it affect athletic performance? How does it affect lung capacity? How does it affect the body's ability to deliver oxygen to the muscles? Im really just looking for scientific information/research not to be lectured, thanks

Answer 1

Smoking totally trashes your lungs and gradually lowers their capacity until they don't function at all.  

Thus, breathing becomes harder and harder and less oxygen gets to your muscles when you play.  This is why you are noticing more fatigue.

Basketball and smoking don't work.  

Edit:  The thumbs down must be from a smoker who doesn't like to hear the truth.

Answer 2

It effects everything!

I can't tell you exact textbook words, but smoking harms all parts of your body. It harms the lungs, making it much harder to breathe, which is what you are feeling. It's like breathing through a straw, as my teacher demonstrated.

It effects the muscles, wears you down. Cancer. The tar is not good for the body and will make you weaker. Your valves and veins are tighter and more restricted, making it harder to move blood and oxygen around your body.

Your main organs are effected as well, so you'll be feeling that soon.

You can google for real statements from scientists, but it'll all say the same thing: smoking is not good for an athlete, or anyone for that matter. Good luck when you try quitting.