Consumo de drogas y participación deportiva en estudiantes universitarios de ciencias de la salud y el deporte = Substance use and sport participation amongst college students of health and sport sciences

Abstract

Substance use and participation in sports could play an important role in the health status and the professional performances of future professionals in sports and health. There are nonetheless opposed opinions concerning the use of substances and sports practice in youngsters. The aim of the present study was to describe the existing relationship between drug consumption and the involvement in sports activities amongst university students in the field of health and sports. A total of 480 students (43.7% female) aged 18-to-36 years old participated in the study. A self-reported measure was administered with the aim of assessing the use of drugs (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, volatile inhalation agents, speed or amphetamines, hallucinogens), sequential polydrug use, and the practice of sports. The involvement in sports activities was less frequent amongst the non-users of tobacco, cannabis and sequential polydrug use than amongst users. After controlling the effect of age and gender within the regression model, the variable that better predicted the sports practice was the use of cannabis, by means of a negative relationship between both variables. These results evince the importance of integrating preventive measures against the use of cannabis within the programs and university degrees focusing on sport activity and health