Cannabis Use and Athletic Performance: Implications for Health Education and Sports Medicine

ABSTRACT: This study examined the relationship between cannabis use and athletic performance, focusing on its implications for health education and sports medicine. The research explored how cannabis consumption affects physiological and psychological processes relevant to athletic functioning, including endurance, coordination, focus, and recovery. A mixed-methods research design combining quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires distributed to athletes across multiple sports disciplines in Delta State, Nigeria. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive and inferential methods, while qualitative insights were drawn from focused interviews with selected respondents. Findings revealed that cannabis use has complex effects on athletes, with short-term perceived benefits such as reduced anxiety and enhanced focus often overshadowed by long-term detrimental outcomes, including impaired motor coordination, reduced cognitive function, and increased cardiovascular strain. The study underscores the need for robust educational and medical interventions to address the misconceptions surrounding cannabis use among athletes. Recommendations include targeted health education campaigns, policy enforcement on drug use in sports, and enhanced collaboration between coaches, medical practitioners, and educators.