The marijuana plant contains delta9-tetrahydrocannibol, or THC, which has both physical and psychological affects. Marijuana smoking may affect a person's ability to exercise in key ways, the National Institute of Health, or NIH, warns. These include an increase in heart rate and a decreased ability to perform endurance tests. In addition, low blood pressure, or hypo-tension may occur after smoking marijuana, according to the NIH.
Tiredness
Marijuana use can result in quick fatigue, and therefore diminish an athlete’s overall endurance, an ESPN special report on athletes and marijuana states. Athletes performed less well on treadmill tests and other types of endurance challenges after smoking marijuana, according to the NIH.
Lung Function
Short-term heavy smokers of marijuana may experience a decrease in lung function, according to the Canadian Medical Association. In addition, long-term users may struggle with respiratory difficulties. More research in this area is needed, the Canadian Medical Association's report states. According to the NIH, little data exists regarding smoking marijuana and long-term cardiovascular problems.
Coordination
Because smoking marijuana slows reaction time and reduces motor coordination, the ability to perform many types of exercise could be impaired. Some types of impairment may last hours or even days after usage, according to ESPN.
Concentration
THC affects short-term memory and concentration, so the ability of many athletes to perform at maximum ability may be hindered, according to ESPN. With long-term use, there may be a lack of motivation to exercise.
Perception
Marijuana may affect perception and cause distortions “involving vision, sound, touch and time,” according to ESPN. Athletes may have trouble performing at optimum levels due to these types of alterations in perception.
Sore Throat
Smokers may cough; have a runny nose, sore throat or wheezing, with heavy use of the cannabis plant. ESPN also notes that this may inhibit a person from following through with an exercise plan.
Other Properties
According to CNN, scientists are one step closer to understanding the positive feelings that some describe as a “runners high.” It turns out that the “runners high” is similar to the affects of THC, the psychoactive property found in the marijuana plant.
High levels of anandamide were found in young men who ran or rode a bicycle for about an hour, according to a study by the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of California, Irvine. Anandamide is a type of cannabinoid, naturally produced by the body that is said to be similar to THC, found in the cannabis plant, reports CNN.
