Competitive sports participation in high school and subsequent substance use in young adulthood: Assessing differences based on level of contact

Abstract

The objective of this analysis is to examine how participation in different types of competitive sports (based on level of contact) during high school is associated with substance use 1 to 4 years after the 12th grade. The analysis uses nationally representative samples of 12th graders from the Monitoring the Future Study who were followed 1 to 4 years after the 12th grade. The longitudinal sample consisted of 970 12th graders from six recent cohorts (2006–2011). The analyses found that respondents who participated in at least one competitive sport during the 12th grade had greater odds of binge drinking during the past two weeks (AOR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.43, 2.90) 1 to 4 years after the 12th grade, when compared to their peers who did not participate in sports during their 12th grade year. Moreover, respondents who participated in high-contact sports (i.e., football, ice hockey, lacrosse, and wrestling) had greater odds of binge drinking (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.18, 2.72) and engaging in marijuana use during the past 30 days (AOR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.12, 2.93) 1 to 4 years after the 12th grade when compared to their peers who did not participate in these types of sports during their 12th grade year. Accordingly, the findings indicate important distinctions in sport participation experiences on long-term substance use risk that can help inform potential interventions among young athletes.

Exercise as a Prevention for Substance Use Disorder: a Review of Sex Differences and Neurobiological Mechanisms

“…Higher risk of heroin use have also been reported in high-school athletes participating in these types of high-risk of injury sports (ice hockey, wrestling, weightlifting; 12). Participation in sports during high-school, even if non-contact, also predicts increased binge alcohol use during adulthood, and participation in contact-sports (e.g., football, wrestling, ice hockey) during high-school predicts not only increased binge drinking, but also, increased marijuana use, and prescription opioid misuse during adulthood (27–28). Although these findings have been observed in samples that include both males and females, the enhanced opioid use/misuse reported is likely associated with male athletes given that the sports identified are expected to be comprised predominantly of males (also see 13).…”

“…Although clinical and epidemiological studies typically include both males and females, small sample sizes prevent most studies from being able to determine sex differences in the association/effect of exercise/physical activity on vulnerability to drug use (27,30–32). The few recent studies that have examined sex differences have focused on middle- and high-school students, with conflicting results that vary between populations (4,6–7).…”

Adolescent traumatic brain injuries: Onset, mechanism and links with current academic performance and physical injuries

“…Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) among adolescents have been identified as a significant global public health issue in the past 15 years. [1][2][3][4] Recent reports show that 15 to 19 year-olds have some of the highest emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths related to TBIs compared to any other age group. [5][6][7][8][9][10] Results from both Canada [2,[11][12][13] and US [4] show that about 22% or 20% of adolescents sustain a TBI in their lifetime, respectively, and as many as 5.5% have multiple injuries.…”

Adolescent Sports Participation, E-cigarette Use, and Cigarette Smoking

“…16,22 Unfortunately, it has yet to be determined if the same pattern among adolescent athletes exists with e-cigarette use. Given the marketing of a healthier, or safer form of smoking promoted by e-cigarette campaigns, 9,23–25 it may be possible that certain low risk groups (i.e., athletes or athletes who participate in non-contact sports) may use this product because it is perceived to be much safer than traditional cigarette smoking.…”