SMOKELESS TOBACCO, REACTION-TIME, AND STRENGTH IN ATHLETES

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of smokeless tobacco on r eaction time and strength in a group of Division III athletes. Methods : Athletes were tested for simple and choice reaction time, maximum vo luntary force, and maximum rate of force generation of the knee extens ors on a KinCom dynamometer at 250 degrees.s(-1). Smokeless tobacco-us ing athletes (N = 20) were tested while both using and after abstainin g from smokeless tobacco. Another group of athletes (N = 20) who did n ot use smokeless tobacco served as a control group. Results: Simple an d complex reaction times were not affected by smokeless tobacco use or abstention. In the simple reaction time test, maximum voluntary knee extensor force was higher in the smokeless tobacco-using group while a bstaining (P < 0.05). Maximum rate of force generation in the simple r eaction time test was not statistically different between the conditio ns. In the choice reaction test, both strength parameters (maximum for ce and maximum rate of force generation) were higher in the user group while abstaining (P < 0.05) compared with the using condition. The st rength parameter measurements in the control group were not statistica lly different from the tobacco-using group, while either using or abst aining. Conclusions: We conclude that smokeless tobacco use has no eff ect on reaction time but may detrimentally influence maximum voluntary force and maximum rate of force generation.