Background/Purpose Research suggests college athletes have increased risk taking behaviors. This study compared nonmedical prescription drug use (stimulants, sedatives, and pain killers) and gender as associated with organized sports participation.
Method The 2008 American College Health Association survey data (N=26,685) were analyzed. Chi-square analysis analyzed relationships between nonmedical prescription drug use, gender, and organized sports participation separately. Logistic regression examined the associations after adjustment for covariates.
Analysis/Results Chi-square analysis revealed that varsity female athletes reported lower sedative use (Χ2 = 6.904, p<.01) than those who did not play varsity sports. However, male club and intramural athletes were more likely than their non-athletic peers to report pain killer use (Χ2 = 8.331, p<.005 for club sports; Χ2 = 5.039, p<.05 for intramural sports). Additionally, male intramural athletes were more likely to report stimulant use (Χ2 = 8.066, p<.005) than their non-athletic peers. In the adjusted regression models, female varsity participants had significantly lower odds of sedative use (OR=.69, p<.05), while male club and intramural sports participants had significantly higher odds of pain killer use (OR=1.51, p<.001 and OR=1.34, p<.05, respectively) when compared to their non-athletic peers. Lastly, male intramural participants had significantly higher odds of stimulant use (OR=1.39, p<.05) when compared to their non-athletic peers.
Conclusions Male club and intramural sports participants appear at greater risk for nonmedical pain killer and stimulant use, while female varsity sport participation appears to be a protective factor against sedative use. Thus, nonmedical prescription drug use may be present for individuals thought to be at a decreased risk.