The recent hospitalisation of Richmond star Ben Cousins has again brought the spotlight back on the use of legal stimulants by AFL players.  Apparently Cousins was admitted to Intensive Care due to a reaction to a sleeping tablet, prescribed to counter the effects of legal stimulants taken the day before in Richmonds (awesome!!!) game against the Sydney Swans.

Due to Cousin’s previous shady history with drugs, there are a few question marks surrounding this particular incident. 

However, the use of legal stimulants by elite AFL players is clearly an issue…. or issit?

Players have been reported to load up on Caffeine pills, No-Doze and/or Energy Drinks before they run out onto the ground.  These substances are totally legal and socially acceptable.  But should our players be putting their bodies through this?  Especially when they sometimes require the use of prescription sleeping medication to “come down” and get a nights rest? 

This doesn’t sound right to me. 

One fear is that the youngsters looking up at their footy idols will start following suit and start loading up for their local footy games. 

As far as health concerns go, too much caffeine is definitely not good for you…. evelvated heart rates and possible addiction.

With regards to energy drinks, substances like Taurine, although legal and “approved”, are relevantly new to the consumer market.  What are the long term effects of excessive consumptions?  well … we wait and see.

And this problem is not only in AFL camps.  It seems athletes and sportsmen/women from a range of different sports are doing similar.

I hope Benny Cousins recovers well and can take the field again for the Tiges.  Preferably without the use of stimulants.

what do you think?