The Effects of Vaping and Smoking on Respiratory Function and Inflammation; Can they be Reversed by Aerobic Exercise and Vaping and Smoking Cessation?

Introduction: Vaping is marketed as a healthier alternative to smoking, but little is known about the effects of vaping on cardiorespiratory function. Smoking cessation (SC) is a strategy to stop and/or reverse the detrimental effects of smoking, and one of the techniques used to encourage smokers quit is aerobic exercise. The aim of this thesis was to assess the effects of vaping and smoking on respiratory and muscle function, and systemic inflammation, and whether effects can be reversed by SC with or without aerobic exercise. Specific objectives are: To 1) compare the respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength between vapers, smokers and non-smokers; 2) assess the effects of 14 days SC on respiratory and muscle function and low-grade systemic inflammation; and 3) determine the effects of aerobic exercise on vaping and smoking cessation. Methods: 1) In 12 vapers, 14 smokers and 18 non-smokers spirometry and respiratory muscle strength were measured; 2) in 48 cigarette smokers the impact of 14 days SC on spirometry, skeletal muscle function, markers of oxidative stress and serum cytokines were determined and 3) in a systematic review with meta-analysis the effects of aerobic exercise on vaping and SC and maximal or peak oxygen uptake were determined. Results: 1) Both vapers and smokers had a similarly lower respiratory function than nonsmokers, but there was no evidence for a lower respiratory muscle strength. 2) Smoking cessation did not reverse the lower respiratory function, but it did reverse the low-grade systemic inflammation and impaired muscle function. 3) Aerobic exercise did not significantly increase the success rate of quitting, but it did improve cardiopulmonary fitness. Conclusion: Vaping causes similar detrimental effects as smoking on lung function. As little as 14 days of SC reversed the low-grade systemic inflammation and impaired muscle function in smokers. Aerobic exercise added to a SC programme did not increase the success rate of quitting, but it did improve the fitness of the ...