High School Intramural Participation and Substance Use: A Longitudinal Analysis of COMPASS Data

Abstract

Background: There is an association between sports participation and substance use. However, there is some evidence that intramural sports in high school may not have the same effect. Therefore, the objective of this research was to examine the longitudinal associations between intramural participation in high school and substance use. Methods: This study used a three-year linked sample (2016-2018) of grade 9 and 10 (ages 13-17) Canadian high school students in the COMPASS (Cannabis use, Obesity, Mental health, Physical activity, Alcohol use, Smoking, Sedentary behavior) study (n = 7,845). Students reported their participation in intramurals over time (consistent, none, initiate, intermittent, and quit) and their substance use behaviors (binge drinking, cannabis use, cigarette use, and e-cigarette use). Mixed effects models were used. Results: 42% of students did not participate in intramurals. For binge drinking, male students who never participated had lower odds (0.66 [0.47-0.93]) compared to consistent intramural participators. ) and male students (1.97 [1.28-3.02]) who did not participate in any intramurals were more likely to use cannabis than consistent participators. Male students who did not participate were also more likely to use cigarettes (1.81 [1.05-3.12]). No associations were found between intramural participation and e-cigarette use. Conclusion: Intramural participation may be associated with increased binge drinking among male high school students. More promisingly, consistent participation in intramurals may be protective against cannabis use among male and female students and cigarette use among male students.

Cannabis Use in Adolescent and Young Adult Athletes: A Clinical Review

“…When assessing cannabis use in high-school aged boys, 3 studies reported no difference in cannabis use between athletes and nonathletes, 2,15,19 while 2 other studies found less cannabis use among male athletes. 79,80 In female high-school athletes, the data are similarly contradictory. Four studies reported sports participation was associated with decreased use, 2,15,19,79 1 study found no difference in use related to sports participation, 80 and 1 study reported marijuana use was more likely in female athletes compared with their nonathlete peers.…”

“…79,80 In female high-school athletes, the data are similarly contradictory. Four studies reported sports participation was associated with decreased use, 2,15,19,79 1 study found no difference in use related to sports participation, 80 and 1 study reported marijuana use was more likely in female athletes compared with their nonathlete peers. 39 In addition, 1 study noted that race may influence cannabis use among athletes, reporting that White female athletes were significantly more likely to use cannabis than White female nonathletes, and they also used more cannabis than non-White athletes.…”

Physical activity and substance use among Canadian adolescents: Examining the moderating role of school connectedness

“…The differences in results for sport participation may be due to the different types of sport (individual vs. team) and levels (e.g., non-competitive school vs. competitive; school vs. community-based) that could be played, and the psychosocial mechanisms may be different depending on these variations in sport types ( 21 , 23 ). Finally, much like the physical activity literature, prospective studies have provided evidence for the preceding nature of sport participation and its association with substance use ( 24 , 25 ).…”