Athlete Vulnerabilities Research Project : descriptive report on sport stakeholders' beliefs about athlete doping vulnerabilities and realted factors / Samuel St-Martin, David Pavot. - Montreal : World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), 2022
The aim of the survey, conducted in collaboration with Canada’s Université de Sherbrooke Research Chair on Anti-Doping in Sport, was to gather insight from those engaged in sport as to the types of athletes who may be more vulnerable to doping and the factors that contribute to causing vulnerability; and, as a result, to allow International Federations (IFs) and National Federations (NFs) to be more proactive in their protection of vulnerable athletes. The results will also help WADA identify specific areas for further investigation and research.
Nine vulnerability factors were identified as ‘most important’ by both athletes and sport personnel, highlighting the need for education programs that cover a broad range of topics and provide support to athletes through varied means.
Nutritional supplements were considered the leading area of concern by most sport personnel, while athletes pointed to the physical demands of sport and the need for quick physical development and performance improvements.
International-level male athletes were identified as being most vulnerable to intentional doping and inadvertent doping.
Coaches were deemed to be the most influential personnel along the athlete pathway, particularly at the elite levels, an indication of the need for education programs for coaches that provide them with accurate, up-to-date information and advice they can pass along to their athletes. In addition, this highlights that coaches may be best placed to identify vulnerable athletes and be able to intervene, if given the tools and strategies to do so.
Education was considered the most effective way to support athletes who may be vulnerable to doping, along with support beyond traditional education programs, such as nutritional and psychological support.
