| Abstract: | This study was conducted to determine the extent to which several measures of physical fitness, treated compositely and individually, vary among adolescent males differentiated according to cigarette smoking status (i.e., strong intenders, mild intenders, and nonintenders). A total of 381 high school males were administered The Physical Performance Test for California to measure six traits of physical fitness, and a written questionnaire to assess smoking intentions and demographic data. As hypothesized, the teenage males who reported no intentions of smoking cigarettes were significantly more physically fit than were mild intenders and strong intenders, especially the latter. Etiological factors mediating the association are discussed within an underlying theme of prevention and cessation of the habit. |
