A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Investigating the Effects of Nicotine Gum on Strength, Power and Anaerobic Performance in Nicotine-Naïve, Active Males

Abstract

BackgroundNicotine use amongst athletes is high and increasing, especially team sports, yet the limited previous studies investigating the performance consequences of this behaviour have not examined the effects of the principal active ingredient, nicotine, per se. Therefore, we determined whether nicotine gum affected muscular and anaerobic performance.MethodsNine active males (24 ± 3 years) completed three trials in a random order in which 20 min prior to testing they chewed 2 mg (NIC-2), 4 mg (NIC-4) nicotine or flavour-matched placebo (PLA) gum. Peak and average peak isometric, concentric and eccentric leg extensor torque was measured followed by vertical counter-movement jump height and a 30-s Wingate test. Heart rate was measured whilst capillary blood samples determined pH, HCO3 − and venous blood confirmed the presence of nicotine.ResultsNicotine was confirmed by the presence of its major metabolite, cotinine and participants reported no side effects with nicotine. Peak and average peak isometric and eccentric torque was significantly affected (NIC-2 > PLA; p < 0.05) whilst peak (NIC-2 > PLA; p < 0.05) but not average peak (p > 0.05) concentric torque was different between trials. Counter-movement jump height was similar across trials (p > 0.05). Anaerobic capacity during the Wingate remained similar across trials (p > 0.05); however, pacing strategy (peak power and rate of fatigue) was different during NIC-2 than PLA. pH was affected by nicotine (NIC-2 > PLA; p < 0.05) and was reduced following the Wingate in all trials. HCO3 − showed similar responses across trials (p > 0.05) although it was also reduced following the Wingate (p < 0.05), whilst heart rate was significantly affected (NIC-2/NIC-4 > PLA; p < 0.05).ConclusionsChewing low-dose (2 mg) nicotine gum 20 min prior to exercise significantly improved leg extensor torque but did not affect counter-movement jump height or Wingate performance compared to a placebo, whilst there were minimal effects of the 4 mg nicotine gum on the performance parameters measured.

Nicotine effects on exercise performance and physiological responses in nicotine‐naïve individuals: a systematic review

“…In addition to improvement in endurance performance measures, nicotine was also reported to significantly improve lower body muscle force production in another study (Mundel et al ., ). While the potential mechanisms contributing to this improvement were not discussed by the authors, the small doses of nicotine may have increased the stimulation of the catecholaminergic system (Fond et al ., ).…”

“…As such, only preliminary evidence is available to evaluate the effects of nicotine on exercise performance. However, it appears from this evidence that endurance performance and muscular force measures may be enhanced with a moderately large dose of nicotine delivered by transdermal patch (Mündel & Jones, ; Mundel et al ., ) and that anaerobic or power performance is either unaffected or decreased. Such findings may explain why athletes appear to be using nicotine as an ergogenic aid (Hu et al ., ; Alaranta et al ., ).…”

“…Such adrenaline‐mediated effects may also improve performance in fast‐twitch muscle. While enhanced anaerobic performance was not reported in the majority of included performance‐based studies, isometric, concentric and eccentric torque were significantly increased compared to placebo in one study (Mundel et al ., ). Furthermore, it is possible that inappropriate dosing or side effects may have masked nicotine's ergogenic effects in the other studies.…”

“…This and the later Mundel et al . () study also satisfied both additional PEDro criteria, and included a number of physiological outcome measures. While no significant physiological effects were found with the exception of significantly increased pH with 2 mg nicotine in the Mundel et al .…”

“…While no significant physiological effects were found with the exception of significantly increased pH with 2 mg nicotine in the Mundel et al . () study, it gave authors opportunity to discuss other parameters that require further investigation to determine the potential mechanism of action. The other study evaluating endurance parameters by Morente‐Sanchez et al .…”