Effect of Smokeless Tobacco Consumption on Handgrip Strength and Surface Electromyographic Parameters in Obese Adult Males

Background Obesity has a detrimental effect on skeletal muscle mass and performance. Despite the widespread use of smokeless tobacco, particularly in India, limited information is available regarding its effect on neuromuscular performance and electromyographic characteristics in obese individuals. Purpose To estimate the effect of tobacco chewing on the electrical and mechanical equivalents of muscle performance among apparently healthy obese male tobacco chewers. Methods A total of 80 male participants aged 40–60 years were recruited for this study. The participants, based on their chewing habit, were grouped into cases (tobacco chewers for more than 5 years = 40) and controls (non-chewers = 40). Anthropometric measurements such as height (m), weight (kg) and body mass index were taken. Electromyography (EMG) and handgrip strength assessments were conducted on all participants. Surface EMG of upper limb muscles: flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) were recorded bilaterally during maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) as well as during endurance time (ET). Result ET of a non-chewers was higher than that of a tobacco chewer in both hands ( p = .006 and .00, respectively). A significant increase in root mean square values was noted in the left-hand FDP ( p = .039) and ECR muscles ( p = .014) during MVC among tobacco chewers. Conclusion The study shows that tobacco chewing may be associated with altered muscle endurance and selective neuromuscular activation patterns.