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NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release:
January 5, 2001

COLLEGE ATHLETES AND ALCOHOL STUDIED
Binge drinking little affected by education, peer relationships

INDIANAPOLIS-The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recently published a study in its official monthly journal, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise® that examined heavy episodic alcohol consumption and associated harm to college athletes. The athletes, responding to a questionnaire about drinking and athletic participation, were compared with other students at their colleges. Responses determined that athletes are at high risk for binge drinking and harm, and have unique social and environmental influences that can be exploited by prevention efforts.

The researchers, Toben Nelson and Henry Wechsler of the Harvard School of Public Health, reviewed previous studies, which had indicated that athletes are more likely to engage in risky behavior (including binge drinking) than their nonathlete peers. Because other factors associated with binge drinking did not seem to differ between the two populations, the ACSM researchers set out to learn what-if anything-contributed to the higher rate of binge drinking among athletes, and to learn what possible prevention efforts might be successful with that population. "We wanted to examine what in an athlete's life contributes to binge drinking or to the athlete's choosing to limit intake or abstain altogether," said Nelson.

Subjects for the study were selected at random from among undergraduate student populations at 130 four-year colleges in the United States. They voluntarily and anonymously completed self-report questionnaires. For purposes of the study, athletes were defined as those students who participated in one or more hours of intercollegiate athletics daily, and binge drinking as consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in a row once or more in the preceding two weeks. The study compared athletes with other students at their colleges. The sample was limited to those students 24 years of age and under. Ultimately the sample included 12,777 students, 2172 of them athletes. Over half the athletes were male.

In their analysis of responses, Nelson and Wechsler found that athletes had higher rates of binge drinking and other extreme styles of alcohol consumption. The athletes reported a greater experience of such alcohol-related harms as academic problems or antisocial behavior. Binge drinking usually involves social factors, and the athletes exhibited these in higher numbers than the nonathletes. For instance, they were more likely to have five or more close friends, consider parties as important, spend two or more hours a day socializing and number among their friends or peers other binge drinkers. Although there are limitations to the data (self-reporting, possible nonresponse bias, unknown response rate for athletes, possible misclassification) the surveys employed a well-known method for alcohol use data, and are considered generally valid.

Participating in athletics was an important reason to abstain or limit intake, along with impaired driving, interference with studying, and cost. Although the athletes reported a greater exposure to alcohol education efforts than the nonathletes did, the educational efforts did not appear to inhibit alcohol use.

The researchers noted that athletes are more likely than other college students to participate in binge drinking and that educational efforts alone do not seem to be a successful strategy to reduce the rate of binge drinking among athletes. The researchers identified other leverage points that could complement educational efforts. They include a clear understanding of the relationship between alcohol use and athletic performance, knowledge of the pressure collegiate athletics places on its participants, and research about the various aspects of athletes' social environment. It is understood that student athletes are a valuable resource for any college, and the potential harm of alcohol must be reduced among this population.

The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 18,000 members throughout the U.S. and the world are dedicated to promoting and integrating scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life.

NOTE: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise® is the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, and is available from Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins at 1-800-638-6423. For a complete copy of the research paper (Vol. 33, No.1) or to speak with a leading sports medicine expert on the topic, contact the Department of Communications and Public Information at 317-637-9200. Visit ACSM online at www.acsm.org.

The conclusions outlined in this news release are those of the researchers only, and should not be construed as an official statement of the American College of Sports Medicine.