Should We be Concerned with Nicotine in Sport? Analysis from 60,802 Doping Control Tests in Italy.
Journal
Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
ISSN: 1179-2035
Titre abrégé: Sports Med
Pays: New Zealand
ID NLM: 8412297
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
06 2023
06 2023
Historique:
accepted:
02
02
2023
medline:
17
5
2023
pubmed:
25
2
2023
entrez:
24
2
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Nicotine is a psychostimulant drug with purported use in sports environments, though the use of nicotine among athletes has not been studied extensively. The aim of this study was to assess the nicotine positivity rate in 60,802 anti-doping urine samples from 2012 to 2020. Urine samples obtained in-competition at different national and international sports events held in Italy during the period 2012-2020 were analysed. All samples were from anonymous athletes that were collected and analysed at the WADA-accredited antidoping laboratory in Rome, Italy. Samples were analysed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, with a cut-off concentration for nicotine of > 50 ng/mL. Results were stratified by year, sport and sex. An overall mean of 22.7% of the samples (n = 13,804; males: n = 11,099; females: n = 2705) showed nicotine intake, with male samples also displaying higher positivity rates than female (24.1% vs 18.5%). Sample positivity was higher during 2012-2014 (25-33%) than 2015-2020 (15-20%). Samples from team sports displayed a higher positivity rate than those from individual sports (31.4 vs 14.1%). The current data demonstrates that one in five samples from a range of 90 sports test positive for nicotine in-competition. There is a lower positivity rate in endurance versus power/strength athletes and higher positivity rate in team versus individual sports, probably accounted for by differences in physiological and psychological demands and the desire for socialisation. WADA, international and national sports federations should consider these findings with concern, proactively investigate this phenomenon and act in order to protect the health and welfare of its athletes.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Nicotine is a psychostimulant drug with purported use in sports environments, though the use of nicotine among athletes has not been studied extensively.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the nicotine positivity rate in 60,802 anti-doping urine samples from 2012 to 2020.
METHODS
Urine samples obtained in-competition at different national and international sports events held in Italy during the period 2012-2020 were analysed. All samples were from anonymous athletes that were collected and analysed at the WADA-accredited antidoping laboratory in Rome, Italy. Samples were analysed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, with a cut-off concentration for nicotine of > 50 ng/mL. Results were stratified by year, sport and sex.
RESULTS
An overall mean of 22.7% of the samples (n = 13,804; males: n = 11,099; females: n = 2705) showed nicotine intake, with male samples also displaying higher positivity rates than female (24.1% vs 18.5%). Sample positivity was higher during 2012-2014 (25-33%) than 2015-2020 (15-20%). Samples from team sports displayed a higher positivity rate than those from individual sports (31.4 vs 14.1%).
CONCLUSIONS
The current data demonstrates that one in five samples from a range of 90 sports test positive for nicotine in-competition. There is a lower positivity rate in endurance versus power/strength athletes and higher positivity rate in team versus individual sports, probably accounted for by differences in physiological and psychological demands and the desire for socialisation. WADA, international and national sports federations should consider these findings with concern, proactively investigate this phenomenon and act in order to protect the health and welfare of its athletes.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36826714
doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01819-y
pii: 10.1007/s40279-023-01819-y
pmc: PMC9951140
doi:
Substances chimiques
Nicotine
6M3C89ZY6R
Central Nervous System Stimulants
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1273-1279Informations de copyright
© 2023. The Author(s).
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