A systematic review of four studies found no evidence that chronic cannabis use significantly affects key measures of athletic performance like VO2max or physical work capacity.
Athletes, sports medicine professionals, anti-doping policymakers, and exercise scientists.
No significant differences in VO2max or physical work capacity
What the researchers found
Across four included studies, the strongest predictors of athletic performance (VO2max and physical work capacity) did not significantly differ between chronic cannabis users and non-users. Resting heart rate was the only measure that differed, and only in one of the four studies.
Why it matters
Cannabis use among athletes is common but poorly studied. This review provides the first systematic assessment, finding no clear evidence for either performance enhancement or impairment from chronic use.
The numbers in context
Four studies included; no significant differences in VO2max or physical work capacity between cannabis users and non-users.
How the study worked
Systematic review searching eight databases for studies on chronic cannabis consumption and physical exercise performance outcomes, following PRISMA guidelines. Only four studies met inclusion criteria.
What this study cannot tell us
Only four studies met criteria, indicating very limited research; studies were heterogeneous in design; did not assess recovery, endurance, or sport-specific performance; no intervention studies available.
How to read the evidence
Preliminary: systematic methodology but only four studies met inclusion criteria, reflecting extremely limited evidence.
When this study was published
Published 2020.
The bigger picture
Despite cannabis being banned in competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency, the evidence for performance effects is essentially nonexistent. The review highlights a massive gap between policy and evidence.
Questions still open
- Could cannabis affect recovery or endurance even if it does not change VO2max? Should anti-doping policies be reconsidered given the lack of performance evidence?
Common questions
Does cannabis hurt athletic performance?
Could cannabis still affect athletes in other ways?
Read the original research
Chronic cannabis consumption and physical exercise performance in healthy adults: a systematic review.
Journal of cannabis research, 2(1), 34
Citation
Kramer, Andrew; Sinclair, Justin; Sharpe, Lara; Sarris, Jerome. (2020). Chronic cannabis consumption and physical exercise performance in healthy adults: a systematic review.. Journal of cannabis research, 2(1), 34. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-020-00037-x
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