High School Intramural Participation and Substance Use: A Longitudinal Analysis of COMPASS Data

Abstract

Background

There is an association between sports participation and substance use. However, there is some evidence that intramural sports in high school may not have the same effect. Therefore, the objective of this research was to examine the longitudinal associations between intramural participation in high school and substance use. Methods: This study used a three-year linked sample (2016-2018) of grade 9 and 10 (ages 13-17) Canadian high school students in the COMPASS (Cannabis use, Obesity, Mental health, Physical activity, Alcohol use, Smoking, Sedentary behavior) study (n = 7,845). Students reported their participation in intramurals over time (consistent, none, initiate, intermittent, and quit) and their substance use behaviors (binge drinking, cannabis use, cigarette use, and e-cigarette use). Mixed effects models were used. Results: 42% of students did not participate in intramurals. For binge drinking, male students who never participated had lower odds (0.66 [0.47-0.93]) compared to consistent intramural participators. Female (3.50 [CI: 1.34-9.16]) and male students (1.97 [1.28-3.02]) who did not participate in any intramurals were more likely to use cannabis than consistent participators. Male students who did not participate were also more likely to use cigarettes (1.81 [1.05-3.12]). No associations were found between intramural participation and e-cigarette use. Conclusion: Intramural participation may be associated with increased binge drinking among male high school students. More promisingly, consistent participation in intramurals may be protective against cannabis use among male and female students and cigarette use among male students.

Keywords:

• adolescent
• physical activity
• sports
• binge drinking
• cannabis
• cigarettes
• vaping

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the schools and students that participated in the COMPASS study for making this work possible.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Authors’ contributions

All authors contributed to the conception of the study research questions. GCW performed the statistical analysis, with the guidance of KB. GCW and KEB wrote the manuscript and KB, MdG, YJ, and STL revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. STL conceived of the COMPASS study and wrote the funding proposal, developed the study tools, and is leading the study implementation and coordination. All authors read and approved of the final manuscript.

Data availability statement

The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study will not currently be shared because this is an ongoing study; however, access to the data supporting the findings of the study can be requested at https://uwaterloo.ca/compass-system/information-researchers.