First Advisor

Laura K. Stewart

First Committee Member

David Hydock

Degree Name

Master of Science

Document Type

Thesis

Date Created

8-2024

Department

College of Natural and Health Sciences, Kinesiology Nutrition and Dietetics, KiND Student Work

Embargo Date

9-1-2025

Abstract

As more studies exploring the therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in both clinical and non-clinical populations continue to increase, there is a renewed interest in the ability of CBD to affect performance. In fact, many anecdotal reports in the media and online suggest that CBD may improve performance. Unfortunately, very few studies support these claims and research in the area is limited. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of an acute dose of CBD on anxiety symptoms, GI distress, heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), blood lactate (BL) rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and a two-mile time trial performance in recreational runners. Methods: This study used a cross-over design where (12) healthy adult individuals were given CBD (CBD-T) or placebo (PLA-T) capsules on two separate occasions. During their first visit, the subjects consumed 300 mg of either placebo (grapeseed oil) or CBD capsules and were then instructed to sit quietly for 2 hours. Each subject completed a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ), a caffeine use questionnaire, and a menstrual cycle questionnaire (for biological females) during their first visit. During the last half hour of the 2-hour waiting period of each visit, participants filled out a State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and completed measures of resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), HR, and HRV. Then, participants were instructed to complete a treadmill run as fast as possible. During each run, HR, RPE, and BL were measured at the 0.5-mile, 1-mile, and 1.98-mile distances during the run, and these same measures were obtained at 5, 10,15, and 30 minutes immediately following the run. All participants filled out a gastrointestinal (GI) symptom questionnaire immediately after the 2-mile time trial. Results: Participants (N = 12; 4 males, 8 females) were healthy and 25.5 years ± 3.34 years of age. Mean CBD-T scores for anxiety symptoms reported increased feelings (lower anxiety scores) of calm (21% p=.04) and relaxed (22%, p=.02) when compared to PLA-T. There were no differences in the severity of GI symptoms, SBP (p=0.1), DBP, (p=0.5), or HRV (p=0.4) between the groups. The CBD-T experienced an 8% percent reduction in average RPE at mile 1 of the run compared with PLA-T (p=.05). CBD-T averaged 3.1% faster than PLA-T (p=0.1). Although this reduction is noteworthy, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: These results suggest that an acute dose of CBD (300 mg) taken 2 hours before a 2-mile run may benefit runners in competition by improving anxiety symptoms and decreasing the rate of perceived exertion without hindering performance time.

Abstract Format

html

Disciplines

Exercise Science

Extent

96 pages

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author

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Available for download on Monday, September 01, 2025

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