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.

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 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.