Achieving high sports results is associated with indescribable dedication on the part of players. Stress, sweat, tears and superhuman effort are associated with a heavy burden and exhaustion of the body. In the world of football, athletes play more and more matches and their increasing intensity pushes players to the limit. Added to this is the pressure from the fans and the growing expectations of sponsors, which even force the players to stay in the best condition and do not give them the right time for regeneration. Prolonged practicing sports at full capacity makes footballers risk their health and are more and more exposed to injuries. In order not to fall out of playing and their top form, they reach for strong and dangerous painkillers, the most popular of which is tramadol.
Tramadol is an opioid painkiller. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Its action is based on binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which inhibits the perception of pain. In addition, tramadol has a euphoric effect, which makes it a substance with high addictive potential.
The problem with tramadol in football seems to be extremely real. Many athletes admit to the problem of addiction to opioid analgesics, and also point to the pressure that is conducive to deepening addictions. Tramadol eliminates the feeling of fatigue, increases the body’s efficiency and relieves pain. The bodies of football players are increasingly overloaded, and painkillers are distributed in football locker rooms like candy in a kindergarten. Every year there are more and more injuries and injuries. There is growing pressure from sponsors who expect their investment in football to pay off.
Football players turn to tramadol to manage pain and be able to continue playing despite severe pain. Unfortunately, experiments with tramadol in the lead role are extremely dangerous for athletes. Overuse of the preparation can lead to serious health consequences, such as addiction, sleep problems, mental disorders, as well as cardiac arrhythmias, depression and hallucinations. In addition, increasing performance and endurance during football matches has nothing to do with the sporting spirit of competition and kills the natural talent of footballers.
WADA, i.e. the World Anti-Doping Agency, announced that from January 1, 2024, tramadol will be considered a doping agent and will be included in the list of prohibited substances. Until then, the football world still has less than a year for extensive communication and education of players, their environment and medical staff to implement the best practices of banning the use of tramadol in football competitions.
