How Vaping Derails Athletic Performance
As a parent or coach, you’re probably familiar with common sports injuries — sprains, pulled muscles and bruises. However, there’s a growing concern about how vaping affects student athletes. Many teens view vaping as harmless, but the dangers of vaping for athletes are real and can significantly impact athletic goals.
Why Are Teen Athletes Vaping?
Tobacco and nicotine have been an unfortunate part of professional sports culture for decades. From sponsorships and advertising to product placement, Big Tobacco has done everything they can to associate their deadly products with athletes and an active lifestyle. This decades-long campaign has falsely convinced teen athletes that vapes are simply part of the athletic look. When it comes to athletic performance and achievement, nothing could be further from the truth. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances and has severe negative impacts on the body and mind — leading to struggles that can harm a teen’s mental health and athletic career before it even begins.
The Physical Effects of Vaping
Vapes, with their sleek designs and appealing sweet flavors, have created a false perception of safety. From decreased lung function and cardiovascular endurance to slow healing, nicotine has several cons for athletes. Vaping has been linked to seizures, lung injuries like popcorn lung and an increased susceptibility to lung infections. The physical effects of vaping also include:
- Decreased lung capacity
- Reduced oxygen efficiency
- Slower recovery times
- Compromised immune system
Cardiovascular Health
A common question is “Does nicotine affect cardio?” Athletes who vape often experience a significant drop in their cardiovascular endurance. The chemicals in vapes can reduce oxygen efficiency, making it harder for muscles to get the oxygen they need for intense activity. This means faster fatigue during games, matches or practice.
Muscle Growth and Gains?
Many athletes wonder, “Does nicotine kill gains?” Yes, it absolutely does. Vaping and working out do not mix. Nicotine interferes with the body’s ability to build and repair muscle tissue, essentially working against hours spent in the gym. Instead of seeing healthy changes and muscles tones, athletes could find themselves struggling or stagnant. Recovery times lengthen and gains become harder to achieve.
Reduced Stamina and Endurance
One of the most immediate impacts of vaping is its effect on an athlete’s stamina. Studies show men who vape run slower and perform below the benchmark in several other exercises. This means athletes who vape may find themselves struggling to maintain their usual pace or intensity during practices and competitions.
Mental Health Consequences
The danger of vaping for athletes extends to the brain. Today’s young athletes face a lot of pressure to perform and win, and some turn to vaping to manage stress, unknowingly making their mental health worse. Even a small amount of use can induce anxiety, depression, irritability and lead to difficulty concentrating. This has negative impacts on academic performance and can affect eligibility. When young, teenage brains are exposed to nicotine, they can struggle with:
- Learning difficulties
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- Impulsivity
Why Young Athletes Are Particularly Vulnerable
The developing bodies and brains of young athletes are especially vulnerable to nicotine’s effects. Nicotine:
- Interferes with crucial brain development patterns
- Impacts decision-making abilities on and off the field
- Creates addiction behavior patterns that are particularly hard to break
- Compromises the natural growth and development needed for athletic success
Helping Young Athletes Quit Vaping
For teenagers that vape and play sports, the impacts can be particularly severe. To help athletes reach their full potential:
- Educate them about the dangers of vaping for athletes. Find free resources to start the conversation at TalkAboutTobacco.com.
- Know the signs of teen nicotine use so you can intervene early. Mood swings, mouth sores, decreased physical performance, frequent respiratory issues and strange batteries and devices are all signs your athletes may be vaping.
- Provide support for those looking to quit. If you know your teens are using tobacco, there are resources to help them quit. My Life, My Quit™ is a FREE, confidential service for teens ages 13 to 17 who want to quit vaping, smoking or dipping. Each teen gets quit help via TEXT, phone or online with trained staff. Teens can text “Start My Quit” to 36072 to get started today.
- Live tobacco free. Teens view you as a role model. Living tobacco free encourages teens to make healthy decisions in their own lives. If you currently use tobacco, consider quitting. Resources like the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline provide FREE services that work with your life, schedule and budget.
Sports and athletic competitions add so much value to kids’ and teens’ lives — from exercise to leadership social skills. Don’t let vaping be the thing that stops them from living a full, successful childhood. As parents and coaches, we have the power to help our athletes make choices that support their athletic dreams rather than derail them. By understanding and openly discussing how vaping decreases athletic performance, we can help our athletes reach their full potential.
Remember: every athlete’s journey is unique, but dangers of vaping for athletes are always real. Let’s work together to keep our young athletes focused on what really matters: their health, their goals and their futures.