Abstract
BackgroundThere is a paucity of information regarding cannabis use behaviors in adult community-based athletes as most research in athletes has focused on misuse of cannabis in elite, adolescent, university-based athletes. We aimed to determine whether age related differences exist in patterns of cannabis use and subjective effects to cannabis in adult athletes.MethodsThe Athlete PEACE Survey used mainly social media and email blasts to recruit and SurveyGizmo to collect data. Cannabis patterns of use (duration of use, frequency of use, routes of administration, cannabinoid used, concurrent use with exercise), benefits, and adverse effects were reported. Age was reported by decade from 21 to ≥60. Age trends in cannabis use patterns and subjective effects were assessed using linear trend analysis.ResultsOf the 1161 participants, 301 (26%) athletes currently used cannabis. Younger athletes compared to older athletes reported significantly more positive and adverse subjective effects to cannabis, used cannabis longer, and used both tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol for medical and recreational purposes. Younger athletes used cannabis concurrently with exercise more often than older athletes and consumed edibles, vaporized, and smoked more than older athletes.ConclusionsWe found age-related cannabis patterns of use and subjective effects to cannabis. Concerns about cannabis mis-use and abuse in athletes maybe overstated with the potential benefits (improved sleep, decreased anxiety, less pain) outweighing the adverse effects (increased anxiety, increased appetite, difficulty concentrating).
Highlights
There is a paucity of information regarding cannabis use behaviors in adult community-based athletes as most research in athletes has focused on misuse of cannabis in elite, adolescent, university-based athletes
More recent studies have suggested that athletes are using cannabis to improve mood and enjoyment of exercise (YorkWilliams et al 2019), but patterns of use and positive and adverse effects to cannabis in adult athletes is largely unknown
The present secondary analysis of a larger study (Zeiger et al 2019a) examined patterns of cannabis use and subjective effects to cannabis by decade in adult community-based athletes
Summary
There is a paucity of information regarding cannabis use behaviors in adult community-based athletes as most research in athletes has focused on misuse of cannabis in elite, adolescent, university-based athletes. We aimed to determine whether age related differences exist in patterns of cannabis use and subjective effects to cannabis in adult athletes. Cannabis is a modality that has reportedly improved symptoms among sufferers of pain, insomnia, and anxiety (Stith et al 2019; Mannucci et al 2017), but has rarely been studied in the context of adult athlete use. Studies in elite and collegiate athletes found the highest use in males, winter sport athletes, and teenage females who compete on an international level (Brisola-Santos et al 2016). These studies did not measure self-reported effects to cannabis
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.