Smokers lack motivation, get tired easily

Regular smoking habits may lead you to suffer anxiety and depression which, in turn, make you less physically active and motivated in daily life.

The research, led by Karina Furlanetto from Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Brazil, is the first study to show that smokers are less physically active than non-smokers.

"Our research has demonstrated a reduction in the objectively measured level of physical activity in daily life of adult smokers compared with non-smokers," said Furlanetto.

Besides presenting poorer lung function, exercise capacity, quality of life and symptoms of anxiety and depression, smokers also walked less than non-smokers in daily life, the researchers added.

They took 60 smokers and 50 non-smokers and asked to wear a pedometer for a minimum of 12 hours per day, over 6 days.

The results showed that smokers walked less on a daily basis.

When their capacity to take long breaths was tested, their lung function was found to be reduced and this impacted their ability to exercise.

When smokers were asked to rate their own health-related quality of life they reported feeling more tired, and lacked the motivation to change their inactive behaviour, said the study published in the journal Respirology.