The Effects of Snus Use on The Psycho-Physical Performance of Elite Soccer Players

Artina Rexhepaj; Fidan Feka; Abedin Bahtiri; Eron Begolli

doi:10.70736/2958.8332.kosalb.44

Authors

Artina Rexhepaj University for Business and Technology (UBT), Faculty of Pharmacy https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6588-1659
Fidan Feka University for Business and Technology (UBT), Food Sciences and Biotechnology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7599-8691
Abedin Bahtiri University for Business and Technology (UBT), Faculty of Sport and Movement Science https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9099-7961
Eron Begolli University for Business and Technology (UBT), Faculty of Sport and Movement Science https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7797-9948

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70736/2958.8332.kosalb.44

Keywords:

Snus, Nicotine, Football, Physical Performance, Psychological Performance

Abstract

Study aim(s): This paper aims to examine and analyze the impact of Snus use in sports, with a particular focus on football players. It explores the effects of Snus on health and athletic performance, delving into its physiological impact and contributing to discussions on sports ethics. Given the rising use of Snus in football, this study seeks to provide a broader understanding of its influence on physical, psychological, and social aspects.

Methods: This study is a systematic review conducted following the PRISMA model standards. The initial search yielded 2657 papers from PubMed and 654 from Scopus. Through a rigorous elimination process based on PRISMA criteria, the selection was narrowed down to 17 papers from PubMed and 7 from Scopus for analysis.

Results: The reviewed literature indicates that Snus use in sports poses risks to athletes’ health, including addiction, cardiovascular disease, and oral health issues. While some players use Snus to enhance concentration and manage stress, studies reveal that it offers no lasting benefits. Additionally, its use may set a harmful example for young athletes. Therefore, sports organizations must promote health awareness and educate athletes about these risks.

Conclusion: Although some athletes use Snus for concentration and stress management, there is no solid evidence of actual performance benefits. Moreover, its use carries serious health risks, including addiction, cardiovascular issues, and oral health damage. In conclusion, more detailed studies are needed to understand its long-term effects. Notably, Snus is banned by WADA.

References

Clarke E, Thompson K, Weaver S, Thompson J, O'Connell G. Snus: a compelling harm reduction alternative to cigarettes. Harm Reduct J. 2019 Nov 27;16(1):62. doi: 10.1186/s12954-019-0335-1. PMID: 31775744; PMCID: PMC6882181.

Kasper AM, Close GL. Practitioner observations on oral fitness and nicotine in elite sports: Your Snus, you lose. Eur J Sport Sci. 2021 Dec;21(12):1693-8. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2020.1859621.

World Anti-Doping Agency. Effects of Snus administration on sport performance [Internet]. Available from: https://www.WADA-ama.org/en/resources/scientific-research/effects-Snus-administration-sport-performance.

Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, Moher D. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Int J Surg. 2021; 88:105906.

Melikian AA, Hoffmann D. Smokeless tobacco: one order about the drinking tobacco or a road far smoke of the tobacco. Tobacco Control. 2009;18(4):252-258. doi:10.1136/tc.2008.026206. ISSN 0964-4563 (Print), 1468-3318 (Online).

Kreyberg I, Nordhagen LS, Bains K, Alexander J, Becher R, Carlsen KH, Glavin K, Carlsen KCL. An update about prevalence and the risk of therapy substitute of Snus and nicotine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Tobacco Induced Diseases. 2019;17(1):40. doi:10.1186/s12971-019-0223-0. ISSN 1294-4556 (Print), 1999-3430 (Online).

Henninger S, Fischer R, Cornuz J, Studer J, Gmel G. Physical activity and Snus: Is there a relationship between them? J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2015;55(5):421-428. ISSN 0022-4707 (Print), 1827-1928 (Online).

Kasper AM, Close GL. Practitioner observations on the fitness of oral nicotine in elite sports: You Snus, you lose. J Sports Sci Med. 2015;14(3):471-477. ISSN 1303-2968.

Read D, Carter S, Hopley P, Chamari K, Taylor L. Use of Snus in football: Danger of a new addiction? Sports Med. 2024;54(1):133-140. doi:10.1007/s40279-023-01783-9. ISSN 0112-6534 (Print), 1439-1009 (Online).

Morente-Sánchez J, Zandonai T, Mateo-March M, Sanabria D, Sánchez-Muñoz C, Chiamulera C, Zabala M. Effect of acute Snus use on the physical performance and perceived load in amateur footballers. J Sports Sci. 2015;33(4):379-385. doi:10.1080/02640414.2014.951221. ISSN 0264-0414 (Print), 1466-447X (Online).

Zandonai T, Tam E, Bruseghini P, Capelli C, Baraldo M, Chiamulera C. Increased performance of exercise in athletes who use smokeless tobacco after long abstinence from nicotine. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2019;119(5):1057-1065. doi:10.1007/s00421-019-04133-2. ISSN 1439-6319 (Print), 1439-6327 (Online).

Zandonai T, Tam E, Bruseghini P, Pizzolato F, Franceschi L, Baraldo M, Capelli C, Cesari P, Chiamulera C. Effects of oral administration of smokeless tobacco on sustainability performance. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2018;28(12):2126-2135. doi:10.1111/sms.13212. ISSN 0905-7188 (Print), 1600-0838 (Online).

Hung B-L, Chen L-J, Chen Y-Y, Ou J-B, Fang S-H. Nicotine supplementation increases stimulus performance in archery athletes. J Sports Sci Med. 2021;20(2):285-291. ISSN 1303-2968.

Lee PN. Effect on health from switching from cigarettes to Snus—a review. BMC Public Health. 2013;13(1):410. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-410. ISSN 1471-2458 (Print), 1471-2458 (Online).

Ansteinsson V, Mdala I, Becher R, Grøtvedt L, Kopperud SE, Valen HR. Factors related to the initiation of Snus use in teenagers. Scand J Public Health. 2023;51(1):22-29. doi:10.1177/14034948221103948. ISSN 1403-4948 (Print), 1651-1905 (Online).

Morente-Sánchez J, Zandonai T, Mateo-March M, Sanabria D, Sánchez-Muñoz C, Chiamulera C, Zabala Díaz M. Effect of acute Snus intake on physical performance and perceived load in amateur footballers. PubMed; 2015. Available from: https://PubMed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Byhamre ML, Gustafsson PE, Jansson JH, Wennberg M, Hammarström A, Wennberg P. Long-term use of Snus in life and the risk of metabolic syndrome and its components. Scand J Public Health. 2017;45(8):733-740. doi:10.1177/1403494817712415. PMID: 28597835.

Ansteinsson V, Mdala I, Becher R, Grøtvedt L, Kopperud SE, Valen HR. Factors related to the initiation and use of Snus among adolescents in Norway. Scand J Public Health. 2021;49(1):44-52. doi:10.1177/14034948211062311.

Tanner T, Valen HR, Grøtvedt L, Kopperud SE, Becher R, Karlsen LS, Ansteinsson V. Prevention of Snus use: Attitudes and activities in public dental services in Southeastern Norway. BMC Oral Health. 2019;19(1):60. doi:10.1186/s12903-019-0765-6. ISSN 1472-6831 (Print), 1472-6831 (Online).

Ramström L, Borland R, Wickman T. Smoking patterns and fitness to Snus in Sweden: Implications for public health. Tob Control. 2016;25(5):540-545. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052621. ISSN 0964-4563 (Print), 1468-3318 (Online).

Kasper AM, Close GL. Practitioner observations on the oral use of nicotine in elite sports: you Snus, you lose. Scopus; 2020. Available from: https://www.scopus.com/

Read D, Cope E, Taylor L. Dependence by nicotine in sports elite. Scopus; 2023. Available from: https://www.scopus.com/.

Zandonai T, Chiamulera C, Mancabelli A, Falconieri D, Diana M. An analysis about the use of smokeless tobacco and its effects on athletes. Scopus; 2018. Available from: https://www.scopus.com/.

Henninger S, Fischer R, Cornuz J, Studer J, Gmel G. Physical activity and Snus: is it a link? Scopus, PubMed; 2015. Available from: https://www.scopus.com/.

Gossin M, Gmel G, Studer J, Saubade M, Clair C. The connection between the type, intensity, sport, and tobacco use or nicotine. Scopus; 2020. Available from: https://www.scopus.com/.

Németh O, Sipos L, Mátrai P, Szathmári-Mészáros N, Iványi D, Simon F, Kivovics M, Pénzes D, Mijiritsky E. The use of Snus in teenagers: an oral health risk. Scopus; 2024. Available from: https://www.scopus.com/.

Zandonai T, Pizzolato F, Tam E, Bruseghini P, Chiamulera C, Cesari P. The effect of nicotine on excitability cortical during training: a cross-over study. Scopus; 2020. Available from: https://www.scopus.com/.

Morente-Sánchez J, Zandonai T, Mateo-March M, Sanabria D, Sánchez-Muñoz C, Chiamulera C, et al. Acute effects of Snus on physical performance and perceived drive-in amateur footballers. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2015 Aug;25(4).

Sieber AL, Jeyakumar J, Bornstein MM, Ramseier CA. Swedish snuff (Snus) and its effects on oral health: An update. Swiss Dent J. 2016;126(9):799-805. Available from: https://www.swissdentaljournal.org/article/view/5140.

Schmitt J, et al. Caffeine and nicotine interactions: effects on cardiovascular parameters. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2005.

Smith HJ, Rogers PJ. Caffeine, blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2000.

Zvolensky MJ, Eissenberg T. Cigarette smoking and anxiety: a review of the literature. Psychol Bull. 2011.

Tindle HA, et al. Caffeine and nicotine: two key players in tobacco addiction. Subst Abuse. 2009.

Drake C, Wright KP. Caffeine, sleep, and daytime sleepiness. Sleep Med Clin. 2011.11.

Benowitz NL. Nicotine addiction. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jun 17;362(24):2295-303.

The Effects of Snus Use on The Psycho-Physical Performance of Elite Soccer Players

Authors

DOI:

Keywords:

Abstract

References

Downloads

Published

How to Cite

Issue

Section

License

Most read articles by the same author(s)

ISSN

Make a Submission

Information

Announcements

Submitting an article

Publisher

Current Issue