High Prevalence of Cannabidiol Use Within Male Professional Rugby Union and League Players: A Quest for Pain Relief and Enhanced Recovery

Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2020 Sep 1;30(5):315-322. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2020-0151. Epub 2020 Jul 30.

Abstract

Rugby is characterized by frequent high-intensity collisions, resulting in muscle soreness. Players consequently seek strategies to reduce soreness and accelerate recovery, with an emerging method being cannabidiol (CBD), despite anti-doping risks. The prevalence and rationale for CBD use in rugby has not been explored; therefore, we recruited professional male players to complete a survey on CBD. Goodness of fit chi-square (χ2) was used to assess CBD use between codes and player position. Effects of age on use were determined using χ2 tests of independence. Twenty-five teams provided 517 player responses. While the majority of players had never used CBD (p < .001, V = 0.24), 26% had either used it (18%) or were still using it (8%). Significantly more CBD use was observed in rugby union compared with rugby league (p = .004, V = 0.13), but player position was not a factor (p = .760, V = 0.013). CBD use increased with players' age (p < .001, V = 0.28), with mean use reaching 41% in the players aged 28 years and older category (p < .0001). The players using CBD primarily used the Internet (73%) or another teammate (61%) to obtain information, with only 16% consulting a nutritionist. The main reasons for CBD use were improving recovery/pain (80%) and sleep (78%), with 68% of players reporting a perceived benefit. These data highlight the need for immediate education on the risks of CBD, as well as the need to explore the claims regarding pain and sleep.

Keywords: CBD; DOMS; cannabis; supplement.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use*
  • Cannabidiol / therapeutic use*
  • Doping in Sports
  • Football / injuries*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myalgia / therapy*
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects
  • Sleep / drug effects
  • Sleep Aids, Pharmaceutical / therapeutic use
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Sleep Aids, Pharmaceutical
  • Cannabidiol