Search

Background: There has been a lack of consideration of the specific needs of para-athletes and athlete-support personnel (ASP) when designing anti-doping and clean-sport education. To this, we developed recommendations for anti-doping and clean-sport education addressing the specific needs of these groups. Methods: The Delphi method was used. Stakeholders with relevant expertise were invited to be panel members. In Round 1, the expert panel suggested novel elements for anti-doping and clean-sport education with para-athletes and ASP. These suggestions were integrated within a survey assessing the importance of 28 potential elements. In Round 2, the expert panel completed this survey. In Round 3, panel members ranked the relative importance of each topic area rated highest in Round 2. Based on these rankings, a draft set of recommendations was created. In Round 4, panel members rated the degree to which they accepted these recommendations and the feasibility of their delivery. Results: The results of Round 2 and Round 3 were used to create education recommendations for para-athletes and ASP. In Round 4, most panel members fully accepted the para-athlete and ASP recommendations. Conclusions: Adoption and implementation of the recommendations created should lead to greater engagement, enhanced learning, and more effective education for para-athletes and ASP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping remains a pressing issue in competitive sport. This study investigated the relationships between achievement goals and doping by examining the mediating role of athlete burnout. French competitive cyclists (N = 251, Mage = 24.95, SD = 9.85) completed a survey measuring 2 × 2 achievement goals, burnout (i.e. physical exhaustion, reduced accomplishment, negative feelings towards sport, cognitive weariness), doping attitudes and likelihood. Structural equation modelling revealed that performance-approach goals were negatively related to each dimension of burnout and to doping likelihood with a total effect (β = -.10; p < .05). A significant total effect (β = .23; p < .05), as well as direct (β = .17; p < .05) and indirect through the mediating role of cognitive weariness (β = .06, 95% CI = [0.025, 0.601]) were observed between performance-avoidance goals and doping attitudes. The model explained 11.9% of the doping likelihood variance. Burnout may play a key role in understanding the relationships between achievement goals and doping. Considering both athletes’ achievement goals and burnout thus appear as crucial for anti-doping efforts. Therefore, developing mental health interventions should be prioritized. Further experimental and longitudinal research is necessary to establish the temporal and causal effects of these relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The usage of doping has been banned in the world of sports. This ban is regulated by law and must be adhered to by all athletes. This research aimed to identify the need for efforts to prevent doping use and develop a monitoring tool for doping prevention. The method used in this research was DESIGN-Based Research (DBR), covering the analysis, design, development, and reflection stages. The data sources involved in this research were administrators, medical officers, coaches, and disabled athletes from the NPCI (National Paralympic Committee Indonesia) Central Java Province. Data collection techniques employed were questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The reflection stage included the validation or assessment of the product by doping experts, medical professionals, and media experts. The data obtained from this research and development were both qualitative and quantitative. Experts in the field used Aiken's V coefficient to test the validity. The product received an Aiken V value of 0.92 from doping and medical experts and 0.82 from media experts in the expert validation results. This value indicated that the experts considered the product highly valid. With the development, this product is expected to fulfill the needs of doping prevention efforts. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of this product in preventing the use of doping among athletes with disabilities.

Abstract Inhaled beta-2 adrenoceptor agonists (iβ2A) are routinely used as bronchodilators in the treatment of asthma. However, their cardiac effects in athletes are scarcely examined. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of iβ2A on left ventricular (LV) systolic function (SF) by echocardiography in healthy, non-asthmatic female and male endurance athletes. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, balanced, 4-way complete block cross-over study was conducted. Twenty-four healthy athletes (12f/12m: 22.9 ± 2.7/24.4 ± 4.6 years) randomly completed 4 study arms (placebo; salbutamol; formoterol; formoterol + salbutamol). After inhalation of the study medication, the participants performed a 10-min time trial (TT) on a bicycle ergometer. After each TT an echocardiography was performed to determine LVSF. Blood samples were collected pre, post, 3 h and 24 h post TT. In females, total serum concentrations for salbutamol and formoterol were higher. LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV global longitudinal strain (LVendoGLS) showed a treatment effect for the whole study group (p

Nandrolone and its prohormones, including 19‐norandrost‐4‐ene‐3,17‐dione and 19‐norandrost‐4‐ene‐3β,17β‐diol, are anabolic steroids forbidden at all times in sports according to the World Anti‐Doping Code Prohibited List and its metabolite 19‐norandrosterone (19NA) is the preferred urinary target compound to identify their abuse. In recent years, an increasing number of 19NA isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) cases have arisen that, based on the initial testing procedure, were likely to result in an adverse analytical finding but were concluded negative after IRMS analysis. The current study was therefore set up to gain a better insight on the prevalence of nandrolone preparations with endogenous carbon isotope ratio values in Australia. Suitable workplace (non‐athlete) urine samples that had previously been reported positive for 19NA were identified and analysed on IRMS. A total of 82% of the samples that were analysed were reported with enriched carbon isotope ratios of 19NA (i.e., 19NA greater than −26‰). This indicates that there is a high prevalence of nandrolone‐containing anabolic androgenic steroid preparations in Australia that have 'endogenous' carbon isotope ratios which reduces the ability to identify exogenous nandrolone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

FG‐4592 is a hypoxia‐inducible factor inhibitor that has been approved for therapeutic use in some countries. This class of compounds can increase the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and thus have the potential to be used as performance enhancing agents in sports. The purpose of this study was to investigate the detection of FG‐4592 and metabolites in equine plasma and mane hair following a multiple dose oral administration to two Thoroughbred racehorses, to identify the best analytical targets for doping control laboratories. Urine samples were also analysed, and the results compared to previously published urine data. Liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry was used for metabolite identification in urine and plasma. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used for full sample analysis of urine, plasma and hair samples and generation of urine and plasma profiles. FG‐4592 and a mono‐hydroxylated metabolite were detected in plasma. FG‐4592 was detected with the greatest abundance and gave the longest duration of detection, up to 312 h post‐administration, and would be the recommended target in routine doping samples. FG‐4592 was detected in all mane hair samples collected post‐administration, up to 166 days following the final dose, showing extended detection can be achieved with this matrix. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of FG‐4592 and metabolites in equine plasma and hair samples. Urine results were consistent with the previously published data, with FG‐4592 offering the best target for detection and longest detection periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence regarding the performance-related effects of Actovegin is limited, despite legislated restrictions being in place for this supplement within sport settings. Objectives: Our study examined the effects of Actovegin on physiological responses and performance during maximal cardiopulmonary exercise in collegiate athletes. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled experimental design was adopted. Moderately trained collegiate athletes from various sports were randomly allocated to placebo (n = 8) or Actovegin (n = 8) groups. All athletes consumed three capsules across each day for seven days of loading. Athletes underwent two separate cardiopulmonary exercise tests one week apart. Separate 2 × 2 mixed ANOVAs and effect sizes ( η p 2 ) were used to assess for between- and within-group differences. Results: A significant time * group effect (p = 0.036, η p 2 = 0.278) was observed in systolic blood pressure. Significant main effects were only observed for time in several variables, with increases in peak oxygen uptake (VO2) (p < 0.001, η p 2 = 0.893), peak minute ventilation (p = 0.004, η p 2 = 0.456), ventilatory equivalents for carbon dioxide (p = 0.002, η p 2 = 0.517), oxygen pulse (p = 0.006, η p 2 = 0.434), VO2 at first ventilatory threshold (p = 0.002, η p 2 = 0.520), velocity at second ventilatory threshold (p < 0.001, η p 2 = 0.997), VO2 at second ventilatory threshold (p < 0.001, η p 2 = 0.628), and peak velocity (p = 0.010, η p 2 = 0.386), and a decrease in respiratory exchange ratio (p < 0.001, η p 2 = 0.695). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that although physiological and performance alterations were evident with Actovegin supplementation during cardiopulmonary exercise, no further benefits beyond those obtained with a placebo were attained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sports education has the role of promoting ethical values and behaviors, thus contributing to the protection of athletes and the development of sports activities. Its necessity is indisputable given that the antidoping tests carried out at the national level, in different categories of athletes, have highlighted violations of the anti-doping rules, including at the junior level. For this reason, between April and May 2023, a study was conducted that aimed to highlight the influence of risk factors for doping behavior at the level of junior athletes (14-16 years old), in relation to the effectiveness of an anti-doping education program. The study was conducted at the National College Emil Racoviță from Bucharest, with 22 student-athletes, practitioners of various sports disciplines. From the analysis of the obtained data it resulted the fact that a series of accumulated knowledge and learned behavioral characteristics do not provide sufficient support in the anti-doping fight or consistent positive changes in the attitude to resist the temptation to use banned substances. Under certain conditions and under the influence of the entourage, especially the coach, athletes show an average willingness to use prohibited substances. The results of this intervention show us that there is a need for the development of a future anti-doping educational curriculum, for the training of the moral skills necessary for athletes to resist the temptation to use prohibited substances in sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Tirzepatide, a dual agonist of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors, has emerged as a transformative metabolic therapy with exceptional efficacy in weight management and glycemic control. Its relevance in sports science is growing, with potential benefits in weight optimization, energy balance, and recovery. By influencing glucose homeostasis, fat oxidation, and systemic inflammation, tirzepatide may enhance athletic performance. This review examines its pharmacological effects, impact on body composition, and implications for endurance, strength, and recovery in athletes, while addressing ethical and regulatory considerations, including anti-doping concerns. Purpose of the Work: To analyze tirzepatide’s pharmacological actions, clinical effects, and potential applications in optimizing sports performance, recovery, and body composition. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of scientific literature was conducted across databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar. Search terms encompassed tirzepatide, GLP-1/GIP dual agonist, metabolic therapy, sports performance, body composition, endurance, and athlete recovery. Relevant studies were synthesized to compile findings. Results: Tirzepatide provides significant metabolic benefits, such as enhanced fat oxidation, improved glucose regulation, and reduced systemic inflammation. Its effects on body composition include substantial fat mass reduction, particularly visceral adiposity, while preserving lean muscle mass. These attributes suggest its potential to enhance endurance via glycogen-sparing mechanisms and improve recovery after exercise. However, concerns about misuse in competitive sports underline the need for regulatory oversight. Further research is necessary to evaluate tirzepatide’s long-term effects on athletic performance and address associated ethical challenges.

The aim of the project was to identify new performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) including novel psychoactive substances (NPS) both in the Darkweb as well as in the Clearnet that could be offered to athletes to improve their performance.Searches on the Darkweb revealed that the number of PEDs offered to athletes is limited, and mainly center on well-known anabolic steroids, peptide hormones, stimulants and metabolic modulators. No novel substances were found and the most sophisticated were well known and also offered on the Clearnet.On the Clearnet, we targeted novel psychoactive substances (NPS) reported by the UNODC Early Warning Advisory on NPS during the period of 2018 to July 2023. None of these substances could be found in nutritional supplements targeting the athletic population, nor did they appear in chat rooms exchanging information on performance enhancing stimulants.In conclusion, it appears that PEDs constitute only a minimal part of the Darkweb market and all of the ones offered are well known substances. On the Clearnet, NPS recently released into the market do not make immediate appearance in supplements for the sports community.

This study is based on an investigation into the Brazilian anti-doping policy, with a specific focus on the establishment and operational mechanisms of the Brazilian Doping Control Authority (ABCD), under the auspices of the Ministry of Sport (ME). The objective was to describe how Brazilian national policy (general political decisions, interests of parties or particular politicians/agents) affects the fight against doping and, vice versa, how the harmonization process controlled by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) affects national sports policy. A multi-sited ethnographic study was undertaken, involving field diary practices, interviews and document analysis. Adopting the perspective of pragmatic sociology, this study delves into the descriptions of three key periods in the recent history of anti-doping in Brazil: the creation of ABCD and the dissolution of ANAD (National Anti-Doping Agency), the realization of the first 100 anti-doping tests by the ABCD (critical period for its members who managed to keep away ex-officers from ANAD) and the impeachment of the Brazilian president in 2016 (ex-officers from ANAD took over the direction of the ABCD). Our analysis allowed us to conclude that ‘diverting others from decision-making spheres’ comprised a political strategy to occupy spaces of power or to stabilize itself in them, which, in this case, allowed the control of anti-doping actions in the country. Local protagonists tried to make use of international injunctions and pressure or local political events to achieve these goals.

Background: Excessive or improper use of dietary supplements (DSs) by athletes may cause adverse effects, such as impaired performance or failing a doping test, making it important for athletes to mitigate risk and make well-informed choices when using supplements. Methods: This study used focus group interviews to examine the attitudes, motivations, and practices related to DSs among male elite ice hockey players. Results: The players used a wide range of products, ranging from vitamins to multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements. Consuming DSs was considered as a practical and convenient way to ingest sufficient calories to gain or maintain the body weight and muscle mass needed to meet the physical requirements of the sport. The athletes demonstrated a lenient and ignorant attitude when acquiring and using supplements, with a non-critical trust in the guidance provided to them by the coach or physician. Having completed basic anti-doping education in the form of an e-learning program did not appear to result in taking a more careful approach to using DSs. Conclusions: Through their DS practices, elite ice hockey players may put themselves at risk for anti-doping rule violations. A comprehensive approach is needed when aiming to prevent unintentional doping in this athlete cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India notified the National Anti-Doping Act (the Act) on 12 August 2022. Through this legislation, India appears to reiterate its commitment to compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code (the WADA Code). However, the reality of doping in Indian sports is far from ideal. India ranks second globally in terms of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). The question then is, what flaws existed in the pre-Act anti-doping policies? Further, how far has the developing country narrative of India impacted these policies? Finally, to what extent does the Act address the existing gaps in India's anti-doping policy? The article addresses these questions to evaluate the necessity of the Act. The article reviews the existing literature on India's anti-doping policy. The review includes government status reports, the National Anti-Doping Agency's (NADA's) decisions and WADA's ADRVs report. These documents establish that the pre-Act anti-doping policy of India had failed to stem the incidents of doping within Indian sports. The Act is a flawed piece of legislation. Consequently, India's anti-doping policy is unlikely to be impacted, though further quantitative research in the future is needed to evaluate the Act. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood collection is an important facet of anti‐doping testing, forming the basis of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). Traditional blood collection via venipuncture can be uncomfortable for athletes, especially those who are tested frequently or close to competition. Athletes may also have negative perceptions of venipuncture due to past experiences or the risks of adverse health events such as bruising, hematomas, syncope, and general discomfort that has the potential to affect performance. Advances in capillary whole blood collection technology now affords the ability to collect micro‐volumetric capillary whole blood from the upper arm (or other suitable vascular location such as the abdomen) that is "needle‐free" and virtually painless using devices such as the Tasso+. The present study extends previous work, by collecting microliter capillary whole blood samples via the Tasso+ EDTA device in an official anti‐doping setting prior to competition, as well as requiring temperature‐monitored cold chain shipping by air to the laboratory before analysis. Fifty‐eight matched capillary and venous blood samples were collected under official doping control conditions by certified Doping Control Officers. No impact of sample shipment by air under cool conditions was observed on sample integrity. Provided that no visible clots were identified prior to analysis, capillary and venous blood samples showed excellent laboratory agreement for all CBC parameters, with the exception of platelets. Micro capillary blood collection provides a valid alternative to venous blood collection for ABP purposes, with the advantage of providing a more athlete‐friendly experience, particularly close to competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dexamethasone (Dex) is a widely used glucocorticoid in medical practice, with applications ranging from allergies and inflammation to cerebral edema and shock. Despite its therapeutic benefits, Dex is classified as a prohibited substance for athletes due to its potential performance-enhancing effects. Consequently, there is a critical need for a convenient and rapid detection platform to enable prompt and accurate testing of this drug. In this study, we propose a label-free Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) aptasensor platform for Dex detection utilizing conjugated polymers (CPs), cationic conjugated polymers (CCPs), and gene finder probes (GFs). The system operates by exploiting the electrostatic interactions between positively charged CCPs and negatively charged DNA, facilitating sensitive and specific Dex detection. The label-free FRET aptasensor platform demonstrated robust performance in detecting Dex, exhibiting high selectivity and sensitivity. The system effectively distinguished Dex from interfering molecules and achieved stable detection across a range of concentrations in a commonly used sports drink matrix. Overall, the label-free FRET Dex detection system offers a simple, cost-effective, and highly sensitive approach for detecting Dex in diverse sample matrices. Its simplicity and effectiveness make it a promising tool for anti-doping efforts and other applications requiring rapid and accurate Dex detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non‐intoxicating phytocannabinoid which has been proposed to possess anti‐inflammatory and analgesic properties. Given the potential for perceptions of pain to limit exercise performance, the aim of the present study was to investigate if 3 weeks of daily CBD supplementation (150 mg day−1) improved performance in a 10‐min performance‐trial on a cycle ergometer. In a randomized, double‐blind and placebo‐controlled study, 22 healthy participants (n = 11 male and n = 11 female) completed two 10‐min performance trials on a WattBike cycle ergometer interspersed with a 3‐week supplementation period. Supplementation involved either 150 mg day−1 oral CBD or 150 mg day−1 of a visually identical placebo (PLA). During trials, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE [6–20]), heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (BLa) were collected every 2 min. Mean power (W) was also taken throughout the exercise at each time point. All data were analyzed using two‐way ANOVAs. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between CBD or PLA groups for mean power (W) during the 10‐min performance trial. There were also no significant differences (P > 0.05) in any of the physiological or perceptual parameters (HR, BLa and RPE) between conditions. Three weeks supplementation of a broad‐spectrum CBD supplement did not improve performance via any change in RPE during a 10‐min time trial on a cycle ergometer, and as such, this evidence does not support the claim that broad‐spectrum CBD supplements could be performance‐enhancing in this exercise modality. Highlights: 3 weeks supplementation of 150 mg/day broad‐spectrum cannabidiol (CBD) does not influence perceived exertion during a 10‐min aerobic performance trial.3 weeks supplementation of 150 mg/day broad CBD does not improve physical performance in a 10‐min aerobic performance trialAthletes should continue abstinence of "Off‐the‐shelf" CBD supplements to avoid anti‐doping rule violations from The World Anti‐Doping Agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood doping remains a significant problem that threatens the integrity of sport. The current indirect method for detecting blood doping involves the longitudinal measurement of an athlete's haematological variables and identification of suspicious results that are indicative of doping (i.e., the athlete biological passport). While this has played a significant role in the protection of clean sport, improvements are needed. The development of a transcriptomic test, that can be used to detect the use of blood doping has been discussed and researched for decades and yet, an anti-doping test that can be adopted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is yet to be established. With recent advancements in our understanding, as well as in methods of sample collection, the possibility of a transcriptomic test that can be used by WADA, is imminent. There are, however, several practical considerations that must first be made, that will be highlighted in this perspective article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general, the presence and performance of women in science have increased significantly in recent decades. However, gender-related differences persist and remain a global phenomenon. Women make a greater contribution to multidisciplinary research, which renders anti-doping research a compelling area for investigating the gendered aspects of academic research. The research design was based on the overall research aim to investigate whether gender in a specific field (ADS) has an effect on different aspects of research impact, including (1) the size of citation impact obtained by the research output, (2) the impact on the development of the knowledge base of ADS, expressed as the capacity of integrating knowledge from different research areas, and (3) the (expected) type of research impact targeting either societal or scientific developments (or both). We used a previously compiled dataset of 1341 scientific outputs. Using regression analysis, we explored the role of authors' gender in citations and the effect of authorship features on scientific impact. We employed network analysis and developed a novel indicator (LinkScore) to quantify gendered authors' knowledge integration capacity. We carried out a content analysis on a subsample of 210 outputs to explore gender differences in research goal orientation as related to gender patterns. Women's representation has been considerably extended in the domain of ADS throughout the last two decades. On average, outputs with female corresponding authors yield a higher average citation score. Regarding women's knowledge integration roles, we can infer that no substantial gender differences can be detected. Dominantly female papers were overrepresented among publications classified as aimed at scientific progress, while the share of male-authored papers was higher in publications classified as aimed at societal progress. Although no significant gender difference was observed in knowledge integration roles, in anti-doping women appear to be more interdisciplinary than men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Doping remains a persistent concern in sports, compromising fair competition. The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) has been a standard antidoping measure, but confounding factors challenge its effectiveness. Our study introduces an artificial intelligence-driven approach for identifying potential doping suspicious, utilizing the Athlete's Performance Passport (APP), which integrates both demographic profiles and performance data, among elite female weightlifters. Methods: Analyzing publicly available performance data in female weightlifting from 1998 to 2020, along with demographic information, encompassing 17,058 entities, we categorized weightlifters by age, body weight (BW) class, and performance levels. Documented anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) cases were also retained. We employed AI-powered algorithms, including XGBoost, Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), and an Ensemble model, which integrates XGBoost and MLP, to identify doping suspicions based on the dataset we obtained. Results: Our findings suggest a potential doping inclination in female weightlifters in their mid-twenties, and the sanctioned prevalence was the highest in the top 1% performance level and then decreased thereafter. Performance profiles and sanction trends across age groups and BW classes reveal consistently superior performances in sanctioned cases. The Ensemble model showcased impressive predictive performance, achieving a 53.8% prediction rate among the weightlifters sanctioned in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics. This demonstrated the practical application of the Athlete's Performance Passport (APP) in identifying potential doping suspicions. Discussion: Our study pioneers an AI-driven APP approach in anti-doping, offering a proactive and efficient methodology. The APP, coupled with advanced AI algorithms, holds promise in revolutionizing the efficiency and objectivity of doping tests, providing a novel avenue for enhancing antidoping measures in elite female weightlifting and potentially extending to diverse sports. We also address the limitation of a constrained set of APPs, advocating for the development of a more accessible and enriched APP system for robust anti-doping practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, Educatio Artis Gymnasticae is the property of Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We propose that doping be legalized under medical supervision. First, we discuss two motivations for allowing medically supervised doping. We reject the 'compromised choice/harm minimization' motivation as unlikely to win the support of athletes. We agree that it could lead to an arms race. Instead, we favor full acceptance of doping under medical supervision and answer Reid's spirit of sport objection to medical manipulation. After presenting a set of guiding principles, we use them to answer the arms race objection and rebut one of the most prominent objections in the literature about the safety of medically supervised doping, the game-theoretic objection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining an effective testing program is critical to the success and credibility of the anti-doping movement. However, a low detection ratio compared to the assumed real prevalence of sport doping has led some to question and criticize the effectiveness of the current testing system. In this perspective article, we review the results of the global testing program, discuss the purpose of testing, and compare benefits and limitations of performance indicators commonly used to evaluate testing efforts. We suggest that an effective testing program should distinguish between preventive testing and testing aimed at detecting the use of prohibited substances and prohibited methods. In case of preventive testing, the volume of the test program in terms of number of samples, tests and analyses is likely to be positively related to the extent of the deterrent effect achieved. However, there is a lack of literature on how the deterrent effect works in the practical context of doping testing. If the primary goal is to detect doping, the testing must be risk- and intelligence-based, and quality in test planning is more important than quantity in sample collection. The detection ratio can be a useful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of doping testing, but for the calculation one should take into account the number of athletes tested and not just the number of collected samples, as the former would provide a more precise measure of the tests' ability to detect doping among athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hair analysis is a crucial method in forensic toxicology with potential applications in revealing doping histories in sports. Despite its widespread use, knowledge about detectable substances in hair is limited. This study systematically assessed the detectability of prohibited substances in sports using a multifaceted approach. Initially, an animal model received a subset of 17 model drugs to compare dose dependencies and detection windows across different matrices. Subsequently, hair incorporation data from the animal experiment were extrapolated to all substances on the World Anti-Doping Agency's List through in-silico prediction. The detectability of substances in hair was further validated in a proof-of-concept human study involving the consumption of diuretics and masking agents. Semi-quantitative analysis of substances in specimens was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Results showed plasma had optimal dose dependencies with limited detection windows, while urine, faeces, and hair exhibited a reasonable relationship with the administered dose. Notably, hair displayed the highest detection probability (14 out of 17) for compounds, including anabolic agents, hormones, and diuretics, with beta-2 agonists undetected. Diuretics such as furosemide, canrenone, and hydrochlorothiazide showed the highest hair incorporation. Authentic human hair confirmed diuretic detectability, and their use duration was determined via segmental analysis. Noteworthy is the first-time reporting of canrenone in human hair. Anabolic agents were expected in hair, whereas undetectable compounds, such as peptide hormones and beta-2 agonists, were likely due to large molecular mass or high polarity. This study enhances understanding of hair analysis in doping investigations, providing insights into substance detectability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Athletes' participation in sports governance gains momentum at multiple levels and challenges the long-prevailing power relations in organised sport. At the same time, the sport-specific discourse on good governance extends to the field of anti-doping, following low levels of testing effectiveness, untransparent decision-making and ethical misconduct in leading anti-doping authorities. Adopting a case-oriented comparative approach between the National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) of Germany (NADA) and Poland (POLADA), two consecutive data collection steps were applied in mixed-methods design to assess and compare the status quo, and to discuss the future development of athletes' participation in anti-doping through the lens of democratic processes in good governance research. First, document analysis showed important similarities and differences between the organisations' approaches to athletes' participation. Overall, NADA implements a more democratic and transparent approach than POLADA. Second, expert interviews revealed three key issues in relation to democratic forms of athletes' participation in the two NADOs: athletes' and their representatives' (limited) personal resources and engagement (individual); an adequate degree of codification and institutionalisation of athletes' representation on NADOs' internal bodies (organisational); and NADOs' operational (in-)dependence (political/systemic). Researchers and practitioners are recommended to further examine how NADOs' control functions over athletes and athletes' participation in their decision-making can be adequately balanced as part of aspirations to foster democratic governance in these organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Anbar University for Law & Political Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Doping continues to attract the attention of specialists in the field of Sports Science due to its frequency of occurrence and the need for scientific substantiation of educational interventions. In all the conditional factors of doping behaviour, coaches and athletes are the key factors. Coaches are often identified as a potential enabler in athletes' doping, but precisely for this reason, they continue to be identified with their status as important potential agents in doping prevention. In turn, the athlete is the product of his own development and social-educational-cultural factors. The behavior of rejection or acceptance of the use of prohibited substances is determined by internal, subjective factors and external, social-environmental factors. An extensive model of risk factors, at international level, shows that interventions are needed at different levels for the educational effect to increase. In order to identify the attitude of coaches and athletes working in the Romanian sports system, between February and April 2022, online, with the help of Google forms, two questionnaires about anti-doping knowledge and attitudes were applied, one for athletes and one for coaches. The analysis of the results found that experienced coaches are better informed and have objective views on the impact of doping in sport. On the other hand, athletes resort to doping under peer pressure, lack of time required for training and as a result of competition pressure. Knowledge of these attitudinal peculiarities allows the formulation of recommendations on educational activities in the field of anti-doping education. Studiu privind atitudinea antrenorilor și sportivilor față de consumul de substanțe dopante. Fenomenul dopajului continuă să atragă atenția specialiștilor din domeniul Științei Sportului care urmare a frecvenței de apariție a acestuia și nevoii de fundamentare științifică a intervențiilor educative. În ansamblul factorilor condiționali ai comportamentului doping, antrenorii și sportivii reprezintă factorii esențiali. Antrenorii sunt adesea identificați ca un potențial factor favorizant în fenomenul de dopaj al sportivilor, dar tocmai din acest motiv, ei continuă să fie identificați și cu statutul de agenți potențiali importanți în prevenirea dopajului. La rândul său, sportivul este produsul propriei dezvoltări şi al factorilor sociali-educaţionali-culturali. Comportamentul de respingere sau de acceptare a folosirii substanţelor interzise este determinat de factorii interni, subiectivi şi factorii externi, sociali-ambientali. Un model extins al factorilor de risc, la nivel internațional, arată că intervențiile sunt necesare la diferite niveluri, pentru ca efectul educațional să sporească. Pentru identificarea atitudinii antrenorilor și sportivilor care activează în sistemul sportiv din România, în perioada februarie-aprilie 2022, online, cu ajutorul Google forms, au fost aplicate două chestionare despre cunoștințe și atitudini anti-doping, unul pentru sportivi și unul pentru antrenori. În urma analizei rezultatelor, s-a constatat că antrenorii cu experiență sunt mai bine informați și au opinii obiective privind impactul dopajului în sport. Pe de altă parte, sportivii apelează la dopaj la presiunea colegilor, a lipsei timpului necesar pentru pregătire și ca urmare a presiunii concursului. Cunoașterea acestor particularități atitudinale permite formularea unor recomandări privind activitățile educaționale în domeniul educației antidoping. Cuvinte-cheie: antrenori, sportivi, anti-doping, substanțe dopante Article history: Received: 2024 April 26; Revised 2024 August 16; Accepted 2024 August 28; Available online: 2024 August 30; Available print: 2024 August 30

This systematic review critically examines the scope of athletes’ knowledge on anti-doping regulations, focusing on literature from 2018 to 2022. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we scrutinized electronic databases including Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar, yielding 4,009 articles, with 17 meeting our criteria for in-depth analysis. Our findings reveal a significant disparity in anti-doping awareness across different sports disciplines and regions. Notably, the review highlights that while some athletes demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of anti-doping rules, a considerable portion remains unaware of crucial aspects, potentially leading to inadvertent doping violations. The synthesis of the selected studies indicates that current educational programs on anti-doping are insufficiently tailored to address the diverse needs of athletes worldwide. Consequently, we advocate for the development of targeted educational interventions that align with the varying levels of existing knowledge among athletes. By enhancing the specificity and reach of anti-doping education, we aim to empower athletes to uphold the integrity of sports and adhere to the World Anti-Doping Code, thereby mitigating the risks of both intentional and unintentional doping. Keywords: Doping in sport, anti-doping, education, knowledge, athlete.

Cases of foodborne doping are frequently reported in sports events and can cause severe consequences for athletes. The foodborne doping can be divided into natural endogenous and artificially added foods according to the sources, including anabolic agents, stimulants, diuretics, β-blockers, β2 agonists and others. In order to control foodborne doping, chromatographic technique, immunoassay, nuclear magnetic resonance, biosensor technology, pyrolytic spectroscopy, comprehensive analysis and electrochemical analysis have usually used as analytical and inspection strategies. Meanwhile, the legislation of anti-doping, the improvement of testing standard and technology, and the prevention and control of food safety, as well as the improvement of risk perception of athletes are highly necessary for achieving the effective risk control and supervision of foodborne doping, which will be beneficial for athletes, doctors and administrators to avoid the risks of foodborne doping test and reduce foodborne doping risks for the health of athletes.

The phenomenon of doping is a public health issue that poses threats to sport and society. In recent decades, the emphasis on efforts to address the issue and reduce the incidence of doping by young people in sport has shifted from deterrence through testing and punishment to the promotion of clean sport behaviours through values-based education. The “I Run Clean project” sought to develop new and effective tools targeting grassroots athletes and those around them (coaches, medical support personnel, sport leaders, parents). These included sport-specific e-learning and in-person peer-to-peer workshops led by trained volunteer ambassadors. The aim of all “I Run Clean” measures is to go beyond the warnings and provision of factual information about early anti-doping campaigns to a more holistic educational approach that focuses participants on their personal and sport-related values in order to encourage good decision-making and resistance to doping-related behaviours. This study evaluates the efficacy of the peer-to-peer workshops and their impact on selected psycho-social variables. The collaboration of the volunteer ambassadors is shown to effectively transmit the desired reasoning, reduce doping risk factors and enhance protective factors.

Maintaining an effective testing program is critical to the success and credibility of the anti-doping movement. However, a low detection ratio compared to the assumed real prevalence of sport doping has led some to question and criticize the effectiveness of the current testing system. In this perspective article, we review the results of the global testing program, discuss the purpose of testing, and compare benefits and limitations of performance indicators commonly used to evaluate testing efforts. We suggest that an effective testing program should distinguish between preventive testing and testing aimed at detecting the use of prohibited substances and prohibited methods. In case of preventive testing, the volume of the test program in terms of number of samples, tests and analyses is likely to be positively related to the extent of the deterrent effect achieved. However, there is a lack of literature on how the deterrent effect works in the practical context of doping testing. If the primary goal is to detect doping, the testing must be risk- and intelligence-based, and quality in test planning is more important than quantity in sample collection. The detection ratio can be a useful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of doping testing, but for the calculation one should take into account the number of athletes tested and not just the number of collected samples, as the former would provide a more precise measure of the tests’ ability to detect doping among athletes.

IntroductionA well-functioning anti-doping system relies on being perceived by athletes as effective, fair, and practically feasible to implement. While research has highlighted the views of Olympic athletes on anti-doping over the past decade, the experiences and perceptions of Para athletes have not been extensively explored. The purpose of this study was to examine Swedish elite Para athletes' experiences and perceptions of the policy and practice of the anti-doping system.MethodsA quantitative cross-sectional approach was used, with a web survey elaborated from a survey with Olympic athletes adjusted for Para athletes with physical, visual, and intellectual impairments. The sample consisted of 66 active Para athletes competing at national or international level (response rate 71%). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and differences between subgroups were examined Fisher's exact test. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze open-ended questions.ResultsMost of the respondents expressed a positive outlook on the anti-doping system, advocating for comprehensive efforts. A significant portion (35%) had not received anti-doping education, with those who did reporting increased confidence in avoiding unintentional doping. Despite their elite status, half of the respondents had not undergone doping control. Mistrust regarding the system's effectiveness and fairness was identified, with over half of the participants emphasizing the need for new technical solutions to enhance procedures specifically tailored for Para athletes.DiscussionThe athletes in this study advocate for a Para sports-focused approach in the anti-doping system, emphasizing equal testing opportunities, procedural adjustments for independence and privacy, and increased access to education. The findings illuminate the unique conditions faced by athletes with impairments within the anti-doping system, offering valuable insights for policymaking in the development of anti-doping strategies tailored to Para athletes and their various impairments.

Pharmacists are competent to promote the proper use of medicines. According to the International Pharmaceutical Federation, pharmacists must develop competence in sports pharmacy and the contents of the World Anti-Doping Agency code. This explorative study aimed to identify the status of sports pharmacy in pharmacy education in Norway and competence in sports pharmacy among Norwegian pharmacy students. The study curricula of pharmacy education were examined for the content of sports pharmacy. An online questionnaire was also developed and distributed among pharmacy students. The anonymous survey collected demographic information and data on competence in sports pharmacy. Data from 122 participants were analyzed. Only 22.5% of pharmacy students had acquired a form of training in sports pharmacy and 91.7% wished to gain higher competence. In total, 40.2% of respondents were uncomfortable in advising athletes and trainers on medication use in sports. Study year was found to correlate with competence level with a significant difference between the 3rd year (bachelor) and 5th year (master) students. Age, institution, and number of years engaged in sports were not associated with competence level. The inclusion of sports pharmacy in pharmacy programs holds practical relevance for enhancing competency levels. This implementation can be realized through the integration of sports pharmacy modules and/or the incorporation of research-based activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The misuse of growth-promoting drugs such as beta-2 agonists and steroids is a known problem in farming and sports competitions. Prior to the analysis of biological samples via liquid chromatography (LC)–mass spectrometry (MS) or gas chromatography (GC)–MS, sufficient sample preparation is required to reliably identify or determine the residues of drugs. In practice, broad screening methods are often used to save time and analyze as many compounds as possible. This review was conceptualized to analyze the literature from 2018 until October 2023 for sample preparation procedures applied to animal specimens before LC- or GC-MS analysis. The animals were either used in farming or sports. In the present review, solid phase extraction (SPE) was observed as the dominant sample clean-up technique for beta-2 agonists and steroids, followed by protein precipitation. For the extraction of beta-2 agonists, mixed-mode cation exchanger-based SPE phases were preferably applied, while for the steroids, various types of SPE materials were reported. Furthermore, dispersive SPE-based QuEChERs were utilized. Combinatory use of SPE and liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) was observed to cover further drug classes in addition to beta-2 agonists in broader screening methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Many athletes use long‐acting beta2‐agonist formoterol in treatment of asthma. However, studies in non‐athlete cohorts demonstrate that inhaled formoterol can enhance sprint performance calling into question whether its use in competitive sports should be restricted. We investigated whether formoterol at upper recommended inhaled doses (54 μg) would enhance sprint ability and intense exercise performance in elite cyclists. Methods: Twenty‐one male cyclists (V̇O2max: 70.4 ± 4.3 mL × min−1 × kg−1, mean ± SD) completed two 6‐s all‐out sprints followed by 4‐min all‐out cycling after inhaling either 54 μg formoterol or placebo. We also assessed cyclists' leg muscle mass by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and muscle fiber type distribution of vastus lateralis biopsies. Results: Peak and mean power output during the 6‐s sprint was 32 W (95% CI, 19–44 W, p < 0.001) and 36 W (95% CI, 24–48 W, p < 0.001) higher with formoterol than placebo, corresponding to an enhancing effect of around 3%. Power output during 4‐min all‐out cycling was 9 W (95% CI, 2–16 W, p = 0.01) greater with formoterol than placebo, corresponding to an enhancing effect of 2.3%. Performance changes in response to formoterol were unrelated to cyclists' VO2max and leg lean mass, whereas muscle fiber Type I distribution correlated with change in sprinting peak power in response to formoterol (r2 = 0.314, p = 0.012). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that an inhaled one‐off dose of 54 μg formoterol has a performance‐enhancing potential on sprint ability and short intense performance in elite male cyclists, which is irrespective of training status but partly related to muscle fiber type distribution for sprint ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood doping is prohibited for athletes but has been a well‐described practice within endurance sports throughout the years. With improved direct and indirect detection methods, the practice has allegedly moved towards micro‐dosing, that is, reducing the blood doping regime amplitude. This narrative review evaluates whether blood doping, specifically recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) treatment and blood transfusions are performance‐enhancing, the responsible mechanism as well as detection possibilities with a special emphasis on micro‐dosing. In general, studies evaluating micro‐doses of blood doping are limited. However, in randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled trials, three studies find that infusing as little as 130 ml red blood cells or injecting 9 IU × kg bw−1 rhEpo three times per week for 4 weeks improve endurance performance ~4%–6%. The responsible mechanism for a performance‐enhancing effect following rhEpo or blood transfusions appear to be increased O2‐carrying capacity, which is accompanied by an increased muscular O2 extraction and likely increased blood flow to the working muscles, enabling the ability to sustain a higher exercise intensity for a given period. Blood doping in micro‐doses challenges indirect detection by the Athlete Biological Passport, albeit it can identify ~20%–60% of the individuals depending on the sample timing. However, novel biomarkers are emerging, and some may provide additive value for detection of micro blood doping such as the immature reticulocytes or the iron regulatory hormones hepcidin and erythroferrone. Future studies should attempt to validate these biomarkers for implementation in real‐world anti‐doping efforts and continue the biomarker discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japan Anti-Doping Agency established a certification system of sports pharmacist (hereafter, SP) in 2009, which certifies pharmacists as professionals with the most up-to-date information on anti-doping guidelines. Despite the fact that the number of certified SP is increasing, few studies examined awareness of SP or the usefulness of SP for athletes and individuals involved in sports. This study used a snowball sampling survey to identify sports trainers' current awareness for SP in connection with their anti-doping activity. (Result) Of the respondents, 51.0% had experienced related to anti-doping activity, and 87.8% had experience of receive a question in regard to health problems from athletes. The recognition rate of SP was 85.8%, and high expectation of expertise among SP in terms of anti-doping knowledge for medications and nutritional supplements was revealed. Trainers seek easy access to SP consultation, as well as face-to-face communication. (Conclusion) This study revealed that trainers were involved in health consultations from athletes and anti-doping activity. The recognition rate of SP and expectations of them were high. For more effective usage of SP, accessibility to them should be improved and direct relationships between trainers and SP need to be built. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provision of medical support for athletes during the Olympic Games has been a feature of each Olympic event. Prior to 1960, medical services were largely utilitarian in nature, frequently relying on military medical services and focused on providing only the essential medical support to athletes, support staff and spectators during the games. However, the appointment of Professor Luigi Gedda to lead the Medical and Scientific Committee for Rome led to an expansion of healthcare services beyond routine clinical delivery, to focus on an extensive and controversial research and education programme during the games. Subsequently, the games were confronted by a range of novel clinical scenarios, including the presence of intense heat during competitions, the transmission of infectious disease among athletes, the rapidly expanding use of drugs by athletes and the death of an athlete following competition. This paper utilises archival documents and contemporary sources to critically review the nature, effectiveness and impact of the healthcare provided at the 1960 Olympic Games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]