Knowledge about Doping among junior athletes
Author(s): Malliaropoulos N, Pechlivanis P, Papacostas E, Xanthopoulos D | Keyword(s): antidoping
Purpose
To identify the level of awareness of doping consequences and side effects among junior athletes in relation to training experience and taking sports supplements.
Patients-Methods
A specially designed questionnaire was distributed to junior athletes (13 – 20 years old) participating in individual and team Olympic sports. All athletes were competitive in regional to world level. All returned answered sheets were analyzed and formed our database. SPSS 10.0 was used for statistical analysis and the level of significance was set to p<0.05.
Results
- 386 questionnaires were returned and 381 finally were included in the study.
- The mean age was 14.94 years (SD=1.95) and mean training experience was 5.16 years (SD=2.80). 53.5% competed in team while the rest 46.5% in individual Olympic sports and 89.2% of these athletes had 4 – 7 training sessions per week.
- They set their ambition from national (34.9%) to world level (30.5%) and they ranked health higher than fame or money (91% - 5.8% - 3.2% respectively).
- Only 22% were taking food supplements, mostly on a daily basis (50.6%), provided by doctors (34.4%) or trainers (23.3%).
- Almost half of the athletes were familiar with the prohibited substances but 97.1% declared knowing anabolic steroids side effects.
- The source of this information was studied. When these side effects were mentioned the answers were not compatible with in depth knowledge.
- Interestingly, 10.6% answered affirmative to whether they would have taken a prohibited substance in order to win and 1.1% (4/381) if this would to lead to fatal results.
Statistical analysis showed that athletes who anticipate fame or money from sports, those competing in individual sports or were taking supplements were most likely to take a prohibited substance in order to win.
Conclusions
Although junior Greek athletes think they know anabolic steroids side effects the quality of this knowledge proved to be poor. Those who really know the adverse effects or taking supplements are more willing to risk future health problems, including death, in order to achieve their sports goals.
