Transcript What effect does smoking, taking cannabis and alcohol have

By Alana Sullivan

One of the main impacts of smoking on athletic
performance is a decrease in lung function.
Smoking breaks down tiny hairs in the
lungs(Cilia)The hairs catch bits of dust and other
particles and stop them from interfering with
respiration.
Eventually the lungs become less efficient in
taking in oxygen from the air, which can lead to
asthma, bronchitis and other lung problems. For
athletes, this means a decrease in stamina and
performance, as muscles that get not enough
oxygen and become tired more quickly.
 Another
impact smoking has on athletes is its
effect on heart and circulatory health.
Smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict
and become blocked. Loss of blood flow can
reduce muscle endurance.

Another disadvantage of smoking for athletes is that it can
lead to greater chance of injury. When the muscles, heart
and brain do not receive enough oxygen, mental and
physical accuracy can drop. This can cause athletes to
make poor decisions, use bad form when exercising, or
even become dizzy or faint. Smoking can also reduce the
strength of bones and the body's ability to repair skin,
ligaments and tendons will be not very strong. This means
that any injuries a smoker does sustain may take longer to
heal, which means more time sitting out of training.
 Blood
vessels in the eye expand, so the user's
eyes look red, loss of coordination and poor
sense of balance and raises blood pressure
slightly and can double the normal heart
rate. As the immediate effects fade, usually
after 2 to 3 hours, the user may become
sleepy. Sometimes the drug causes users to
feel thirsty and very hungry.
 Some
cannabis users claim the drug helps
them deal with anxiety, stress and
depression.
This is cannabis.
 While
dehydrated, an athlete is at greater
risk for musculoskeletal injuries including:
cramps, muscle pulls, and muscle strains.
Alcohol will also slow reaction time and
mental acuity for up to several days after it
has been taken. The delayed reaction time
and reduced mental acuity is of severe
consequence to the athlete. Performance
will be reduced and injury risk increased.
Alcohol is stored much like fat in the body.
Also, alcohol destroys amino acids and stores
them as fat.
 Large
amounts of lactic acid are produced,
this results in decreased energy, decreased
muscle recovery, and increased muscle
soreness. Alcohol prevents athletes from
reaching their ultimate playing potential.
Alcohol has a bad effect on both the quality
of sleep and on daytime attention. Sleep
problems are common in alcoholics and also
in some people who have completely stopped
drinking.