Impact of Smoking on Speed and Coordination of Upper Limb Movement

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of smoking on speed and coordination of upper-limb movement. METHODS: A total of 62 healthy, young individuals were randomly selected for participation in this study. Out of total subjects, 31 were smokers with a mean age 20.84 years and 31 were non-smokers with a mean age 19.97 years and placed in group A and group B, respectively. Plate taping test was administered to all the subjects to determine their speed and coordination of upper limb. FINDINGS: Student’s t-test was applied between both groups to see the difference in their plate taping test’s time; its t-value was 5.03. CONCLUSION: Statistical significant difference was seen between both the groups in the result of plate taping test, which suggests that smoking can affect the speed and coordination of upper limb in a negative way and cause its deterioration. Therefore, immediate quitting from smoking is of high value and requirements to have a good speed and coordination of upper-limb movements.