1. Physiological Anomaly in Elite Athletes
Table 4: Scandinavian Marathoner Cohort Study (2024-2025)
| Metric | Nicotine Users (n=30) | Control Group (n=30) |
|---|---|---|
| VO2max (ml/kg/min) | 68.3 ±3.1 | 62.8 ±2.9 |
| Lactate Threshold (%HR) | 88% | 82% |
| Muscle Glycogen Storage | 15% ↑ | Baseline |
| Source: European Journal of Sports Science 2025 |
Case Study: Erik Johansson
The Swedish ultramarathon champion ignited controversy by consuming nicotine pouches during races:
“I use 4mg nicotine sachets every 10km. It stabilizes my heart rate variability, but my team requires monthly bronchial hyperresponsiveness tests.”
His lung function tests revealed FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.79 (normal >0.75) despite 12 years of nicotine use.
2. Molecular Mechanisms
Nicotine activates α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, triggering:
- Mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1α activation)
- Anti-inflammatory pathways (IL-6 reduction by 40% in serum)
- Cognitive enhancement (fMRI shows 22%↑ prefrontal cortex activation during fatigue)
Controlled trials at Karolinska Institute demonstrated nicotine users maintained 4:50/km pace 15% longer than controls in 50km trials.