Background
There are diverse opinions about the degree of adaptability of the respiratory system in delivering the physiological needs in case of tobacco users. Role of the normal respiratory system in delivering oxygen to meet the demands of various degrees of exercise has been a topic of considerable debate. One view holds that the respiratory system is not normally the most limiting factor in the delivery of oxygen; others hold the absence of structural adaptability to physical training as the cause of limitation of the pulmonary system. The role of ventilatory functions in evaluating the respiratory functions in gutkha users has not been studied adequately in previous studies. Hence, there was a need for this study.
Materials and methods
Pulmonary function tests were performed before and after maximal exercise testing to assess dynamic lung functions in two groups: gutkha chewers and nongutkha chewers.
Results
On studying the differences in dynamic lung functions in two groups of nongutkha chewers and gutkha chewers, there was no difference in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s, before or after exercise testing. The other flow rates maximum mid-expiratory flow, peak expiratory flow rate, and mid-expiratory flow 25-75% were on the higher side in nonchewer individuals, which were consistently maintained after exercise testing. A higher adaptability of the respiratory system to the training stimulus in the form of a higher elastic recoil pressure of the lungs and a lower resistance of medium to small airways is suggested as the mechanism of adaptability in this study.