Effects of cigarette smoking on the association between respiratory muscle strength and skeletal muscle mass in middle-aged and older adults: the Wakayama Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine whether cumulative smoking exposure affects the association between peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and skeletal muscle mass in middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: The study participants comprised 832 community-dwelling individuals aged 50-89 years (mean age: 69 years) without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed to estimate the skeletal muscle mass of each participant.