How Smoking Affects Testosterone & Athletic Performance in Men

The relationship between smoking and testosterone is more complicated than you might think. Research shows conflicting results:

• Some studies show higher testosterone in smokers. The NHANES III study found that current smokers had higher total and free testosterone compared to never smokers [citation:7].
• Other studies show lower testosterone in smokers. A 2025 Jordanian study of 145 smokers found significantly lower total testosterone in smokers (400.17 IU/L) compared to non-smokers (510.15 IU/L) [citation:8].
• Some research shows no difference. The picture is mixed — but the clinical outcomes are not.

📉 1. Oxygen Delivery Plummets

Carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke binds to hemoglobin 200 times more tightly than oxygen. This reduces oxygen delivery to working muscles by 10-15% — a massive handicap for any athlete [citation:2][citation:4].

📉 2. Vasoconstriction — Blood Flow Restriction

Nicotine constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to muscles during exercise. This means less oxygen, less nutrient delivery, and slower removal of metabolic waste products like lactic acid [citation:1][citation:6].

📉 3. Myostatin Increase — The Muscle Limiter

Smoking increases production of myostatin, a protein that actively inhibits muscle growth. This is why smokers struggle to build muscle even with the same training volume as non-smokers [citation:2].

📉 4. Impaired Protein Synthesis

Recovery is slower. Muscle protein synthesis — the process that repairs and builds muscle after training — is impaired in smokers. This leads to longer recovery times and less progress from the same workouts [citation:2].

🏃‍♂️ Endurance Athletes: Smoking Is a Disaster

For runners, cyclists, swimmers, or anyone who needs sustained cardio, smoking is arguably the worst thing you can do:

• Lung damage: Tar coats the alveoli (air sacs) in your lungs, reducing their ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide [citation:4].
• Increased resting heart rate: Smokers have higher heart rates at rest, leaving less reserve for exercise [citation:2].
• Earlier fatigue: The combination of reduced oxygen delivery and increased metabolic waste means you hit the wall earlier.
• Slower race times: Studies consistently show smokers have significantly worse race times than non-smokers at the same training level.

🏋️‍♂️ Strength Training: You’re Leaving Gains on the Table

Think smoking only hurts cardio? Think again. Strength athletes are also severely impacted:

• Reduced protein synthesis: The same cigarettes that damage your lungs also impair the cellular machinery that builds muscle [citation:2].
• Slower recovery: Smokers need more rest between workouts, meaning fewer training sessions per week [citation:4].
• Lower peak strength: Studies show smokers have lower 1-rep maxes than non-smokers of similar size and training history.
• Increased injury risk: Smoking reduces bone density and impairs collagen synthesis, making tendons and ligaments more injury-prone.

🏆 What About Professional Athletes Who Smoke?

Yes, some professional athletes smoke — but they’re the exception, not the rule. And they’re likely leaving performance on the table. Famous smoking athletes include:

• Mario Balotelli (soccer): Known for smoking, also known for underperforming relative to his talent.
• Dennis Rodman (basketball): Elite athlete who smoked heavily, but also acknowledged it hurt his performance.
• Zdeno Chara (hockey): Reportedly smoked early in his career before quitting and improving.

🍆 Sexual Performance: Another Athletic Activity

Erectile function is a vascular event — it requires healthy blood flow. Smoking directly impairs this:

• 2x higher risk of erectile dysfunction in smokers [citation:1].
• Problems appear earlier: Heavy smokers can develop ED by age 35 [citation:1].
• Reduced libido: Even without full ED, many smokers report lower sexual desire.
• Quitting improves erections: Studies show significant improvement in erectile function within months of quitting [citation:5].

🚀 What Happens When You Quit? (The Timeline)

• 2 weeks to 3 months: Lung function improves by up to 30%. Circulation improves. Shortness of breath during exercise decreases [citation:5].
• 3-6 months: Testosterone levels normalize. Many men report increased libido and improved erectile function.
• 6-12 months: Exercise capacity continues to improve. Former smokers can often match non-smokers of similar age and fitness.
• 1-2 years: Risk of heart attack and stroke drops significantly. Lung function continues to improve.