MJ Use Reduces Athletic Performance in Women
Researchers from the University of Northern Colorado in the United States set out to assess the effects of cannabis use among female athletes. Their study found that regular consumption of cannabinoids negatively impacts women’s athletic performance.
Smoking MJ Lowers Anaerobic Performance
The study involved 12 female athletes aged 19 to 34 who had been smoking MJ for an average of six years, about 15 times per month, and 12 athletes who had not used cannabis for at least 12 months. The researchers selected participants to ensure there were no significant differences in body mass, build, or muscle size between the groups.
The women completed a test to measure anaerobic performance—the ability to work under low-oxygen conditions using anaerobic energy sources. For this, they pedaled on a stationary bike at maximum speed for 30 seconds. The results showed that cannabis users generated 18% less power in the first 5 seconds and 20% less during the second five-second interval compared to non-users.
The researchers concluded that MJ smoking significantly reduced the body’s anaerobic performance because users performed worse in speed and strength exercises. Additionally, higher concentrations of C-reactive protein were found in the blood of cannabis users, indicating ongoing inflammatory processes.
Both negative effects are likely due to the fact that cannabis smoke contains at least 110 toxic substances, including carcinogens, mutagens, and teratogens (which can disrupt fetal development).
Cannabidiol Does Not Have Negative Effects
This year, a group of Australian scientists published the results of experiments with cannabidiol (CBD) involving nine athletes. The volunteers took 300 mg of CBD orally or a placebo, and after an hour and a half, performed two runs: one at a fixed speed for 60 minutes and another to the point of exhaustion.
The researchers measured various vital signs, such as heart rate and respiratory exchange ratio, and found that CBD altered the psychological response to aerobic exercise without affecting physical performance. Volunteers who took the cannabinoid enjoyed running more, but their vital signs were no different from those who took the placebo.
MJ Use Increases Physical Activity in Older Adults
Meanwhile, studies on Americans aged 60 and older showed that MJ use led to increased physical activity. Older adults who used cannabis exercised 16% more often and performed 20% more exercises. Doctors attribute this phenomenon to the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties of THC, which allow for greater physical exertion.