A Multistudy Cross-Sectional and Experimental Examination Into the Interactive Effects of Moral Identity and Moral Disengagement on Doping / Nicholas Stanger, Susan H. Backhouse. - (Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 42 (2020) 3; p. 185-200)

• PMID: 32434146
• DOI: 10.1123/jsep.2019-0097

Abstract

Moral identity and moral disengagement have been linked with doping likelihood. However, experiments testing the temporal direction of these relationships are absent. The authors conducted one cross-sectional and two experimental studies investigating the conjunctive effects of moral identity and moral disengagement on doping likelihood (or intention). Dispositional moral identity was inversely (marginally), and doping moral disengagement, positively, associated with doping intention (Study 1). Manipulating situations to amplify opportunities for moral disengagement increased doping likelihood via anticipated guilt (Study 2). Moreover, dispositional moral identity (Study 2) and inducing moral identity (Study 3) were linked with lower doping likelihood and attenuated the relationship between doping moral disengagement and doping likelihood. However, the suppressing effect of moral identity on doping likelihood was overridden when opportunities for moral disengagement were amplified. These findings support multifaceted antidoping efforts, which include simultaneously enhancing athlete moral identity and personal responsibility alongside reducing social opportunities for moral disengagement.

A National Investigation of Psychosocial Factors Facilitating Doping in Body Builders : Final Report For WADA’s Social Science Research Grant Program / Ian D. Boardley. – Birminghan : School of Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, 2010, - 15 p.

Content:

- Summary
- Objectives
- Progress
- Results
- Effect of research on professional development
- Implications for prevention programmes / translation of research into practice
- Partnerships
- Publications
- Semiars
- Further dissemination

A Netnography and a Survey on Doping Use among Competitive Doping-untested Strength-sport Athletes / Iiro Jokipalo, Anna Khudayarov. - (International Journal of Sports Medicine 42 (2021) 7 (January) ; p. 645-650)

• PMID: 33506442
• DOI: 10.1055/a-1342-7312

Abstract

Doping-untested strength-sport athletes (powerlifters, strongmen, armlifters, etc.,) are infamous for their doping use, but their exact doping regimens are not known. The purpose of this study was to provide a reasonable portrait of doping history in this specific athlete group for medical practitioners. Seventy-five athletes were selected by netnography of the social media community around the Finnish doping-untested strength-sport federations on the basis of their activity in doping-related discussions, and the athletes were invited to answer a detailed doping-related anonymous survey. Fifty respondents completed the survey. 100% of the respondents reported use of anabolic androgenic steroids, 66% reported use of stimulants, and 80% use of non-steroidal anabolic substances. The doses of both testosterone products and human growth hormone were notably larger than reported in previous studies of gym users (mostly non-competitive athletes). The subjects reported simultaneous use of an average 5.66 illegal substances, and lifetime use of 16.78 illegal substances. The doses of illicit drugs, as well as polypharmacy, among competitive doping-untested strength-sport athletes are higher than previously reported among recreational gym users, and side effects are likely in this specific population.

A next-generation sequencing method for gene doping detection that distinguishes low levels of plasmid DNA against a background of genomic DNA / Eddy N. de Boer, Petra E. van der Wouden, Lennart F. Johansson, Cleo C. van Diemen, Hidde J. Haisma. - (Gene Therapy (2019) 11 July; p. 1-9).

• DOI: 10.1038/s41434-019-0091-6

Abstract

Gene doping confers health risks for athletes and is a threat to fair competition in sports. Therefore the anti-doping community has given attention on its detection. Previously published polymerase chain reaction-based methodologies for gene doping detection are targeting exon–exon junctions in the intron-less transgene. However, because these junctions are known, it would be relatively easy to evade detection by tampering with the copyDNA sequences. We have developed a targeted nextgeneration sequencing based assay for the detection of all exon–exon junctions of the potential doping genes, EPO, IGF1, IGF2, GH1, and GH2, which is resistant to tampering. Using this assay, all exon–exon junctions of copyDNA of doping genes could be detected with a sensitivity of 1296 copyDNA copies in 1000 ng of genomic DNA. In addition, promotor regions and plasmid-derived sequences are readily detectable in our sequence data. While we show the reliability of our method for a selection of genes, expanding the panel to detect other genes would be straightforward. As we were able to detect plasmidderived sequences, we expect that genes with manipulated junctions, promotor regions, and plasmid or virus-derived sequences will also be readily detected.

A novel approach to the quantification of urinary aryl-propionamide-derived SARMs by UHPLC-MS/MS / Azamat Temerdashev, Ekaterina Dmitrieva, Alice Azaryan, Elina Gashimova. - (Biomedical Chromatography 34 (2020) 1 (January) ; p. 1-9)

• PMID: 31734960
• DOI: 10.1002/bmc.4700

Abstract

A simple and sensitive procedure for the quantification of two commonly abused aryl‐propionamide‐derived selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), namely S‐4 (GTx‐007, andarine) and S‐22 (GTx‐024, MK‐2866, ostarine, enobosarm), has been described. Urine samples were prepared for analysis by means of a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction using methanol and chloroform as dispersive and extracting solvents, respectively. Factors that might influence the extraction process as well as their optimum conditions were evaluated by Box–Benken and central composite designs. After extraction, the analytes were quantified by UHPLC–MS/MS. The proposed procedure was validated on human urine samples. As a result, for both SARMs the detection limits were observed at 0.05 ng/mL and calibration curves were linear in the concentration range of 0.25–50 ng/mL with the coefficient of determination of 0.998.

A Novel Mixed Living High Training Low Intervention and the Hematological Module of the Athlete Biological Passport / Sven Christian Voss, Khalifa Al‐Hamad, Waseem Samsam, Anissa Cherif, Costas Georgakopoulos, Mohammed Al Maadheed, George Balanos, Sam Lucas, Pierre‐Edouard Sottas, Mathew Wilson, Nathan Townsend. - (Drug Testing and Analysis (2019) 30 December; p. 1-8).
- PMID: 31889433.
- DOI: 10.1002/dta.2723

Abstract

Exposure to either natural or simulated hypoxia induces hematological adaptations that may affect the parameters of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a novel, mixed hypoxic dose protocol on the likelihood of producing an atypical ABP finding. Ten well‐trained middle‐distance runners participated in a “live high, train low and high” (LHTLH) altitude training camp for 14 days. The participants spent ˜6 hr.d‐1 at 3000–5400 m during waking hours and ˜10 h.d‐1 overnight at 2400–3000 m simulated altitude. Venous blood samples were collected before (B0), and after 1 (D1), 4 (D4), 7 (D7), and 14 (D14) days of hypoxic exposure, and again 14 days post exposure (P14). Samples were analyzed for key parameters of the ABP including reticulocyte percentage (Ret%), hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), and the OFF‐score. The ABP adaptive model was administered at a specificity of 99% to test for atypical findings. We found significant changes in [Hb] and Ret% during the hypoxic intervention. Consequently, this led to ABP threshold deviations at 99% specificity in three participants. Only one of these was flagged as an “atypical passport finding” (ATPF) due to deviation of the OFF‐score. When this sample was evaluated by ABP experts it was considered “normal”. In conclusion, it is highly unlikely that the present hypoxic exposure protocol would have led to a citation for a doping violation according to WADA guidelines.

A proposal for theoretical and empirical extension of the sociology of anti-doping / Patrick Trabal, Ekain Zubizarreta

• Performance Enhancement & Health 8 (2020) 2-3 (August), 100177
• DOI: 10.1016/j.peh.2020.100177

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to highlight the interest of using diverse sociological approaches and models for studying anti-doping (developed outside the epistemic community of researchers working on doping) and to point out the sociological interest of the doping issue for social sciences.

First, we will present a model developed by pragmatic sociologists for describing social issues in society that could assist researchers in describing the complex reality of the anti-doping issue. The model proposes to examine the ways in which axiology, devices and realities are articulated in anti-doping related criticism and the existing circulation between the six social logics described in it. Its use could allow researchers to apprehend local and global transformations in the system and the articulations between these two levels. Second, we will resume the most relevant results of a research that analysed the prevention activity using an approach of work sociologists. A part of this research sought to identify the meaning that people working in prevention gave to their activity. The received answers were manifold; five ways of “doing prevention” were identified, to which institutions were committed differently. The described panorama showed a dispute where the debate as such was not tabled and nobody seemed able to definitively close the dispute, not even the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Finally, an ongoing research will be presented. It focuses on the procedures-based management implemented by WADA and aims to compare its development with the implementation of similar management systems by other institutions. The research could allow us identifying possible related risks, for example, the loss of the pleasure of working, the emergence of fear or the increasing work pressure. We hope the paper will encourage other social researchers to renew the usual theoretical approaches.

A psychological comparison of females with anorexia nervosa and competitive male bodybuilders : body shape ideals in the extreme /  Caroline Davis, Lori Scott-Robertson. - (Eating Behaviors 1 (2000) 1 (September); p. 33-46)

• PMID: 15001065
• DOI: 10.1016/s1471-0153(00)00007-6

Abstract

There is accumulating evidence that young men have become as concerned with their physical appearance as young women. However, different from women who want to achieve an ultra-slender body shape, most men want to increase their muscle mass and body size. Women with anorexia nervosa (AN) and competitive male bodybuilders are those who have taken the cultural standards of bodily perfection to the extreme, and both use unhealthy behaviours such as severe food restriction, excessive exercise, and steroids in pursuit of their goals. Findings of this study confirmed our prediction that the psychological profile of bodybuilders would be very similar to that found in women with AN. Both groups were significantly more obsessional, perfectionistic, anhedonic, and pathologically narcissistic than the general population. However, the bodybuilders reported very positive perceptions of their self-worth while the AN patients had very negative perceptions. Results are interpreted in the framework of a speculative developmental model of AN and bodybuilding, which focuses on the role of personality in the initiation and maintenance of excessive behaviours.

A qualitative analysis of the factors that protect athletes against doping in sport / Kelsey Erickson, Jim McKenna, Susan H. Backhouse. - (Psychology of Sport and Exercise 16 (2015) 2 (January); p. 149-155)

• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2014.03.007

Abstract:

Objective

To explore the protective factors against performance enhancing drug (PED) use in sport.

Design

Ten competitive athletes (M = 5, F = 5) representing five different sports (field hockey, boxing, football, triathlon, rugby) were recruited through convenience sampling to undertake a semi-structured interview to enable a qualitative analysis of athletes' lifelong athletic careers.

Method

Verbatim transcripts were analysed using an established three-stage coding process to identify the common themes within the narratives.

Results

Personal and situational protective factors were identified in the accounts. Personal factors included: (i) a strong moral stance against cheating; (ii) an identity beyond sport; (iii) self-control; and (iv) resilience to social group pressures. Situational factors included secure attachments to people at all stages of the athlete's life. This facilitated both the promotion of moral decision making and assisted in the development of anti-doping attitudes. When situational factors – such as a pro-doping climate – arose, key attachments in the athletes' lives interplayed with personal factors to reduce the risk of doping.

Conclusions

These findings offer insights into factors that protect competitive athletes against using PEDs in sport and further our understanding of the complex interaction between risk and protective factors at individual, psychosocial and societal levels among competitive athletes. As a complex behaviour, doping in sport cannot be prevented by solely focussing on the individual athlete; contextual factors beyond the athlete's control also impact on this behaviour. Thus, a paradigm shift is warranted to move beyond an athlete-centred approach to anti-doping.

A qualitative investigation of coaches’ doping confrontation efficacy beliefs / Ian D. Boardley, Jonathan Grix, Nikos Ntoumanis, Alan L. Smith

• Psychology of Sport and Exercise 45 (2019) 101576 (November)
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.101576

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the nature of doping confrontation efficacy (DCE) beliefs – as well as their antecedents and outcomes – through a qualitative examination of Sullivan, Feltz, LaForge-MacKenzie, and Hwang’s (2015) DCE model with high-level technical and strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches from athletics and rugby union.

Design

Qualitative, descriptive.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 coaches (nmale = 15, nfemale = 6; ntechnical = 11, nS&C = 10; nathletics = 5, nrugby = 13, nrugby & athletics = 3), working at a regional, national, or international level in athletics, rugby, or both sports. Study data were analyzed deductively using content analysis techniques.

Results

Data analysis supported the relevance of all five dimensions of DCE (i.e., personal resources, initiation, legitimacy, intimacy, and expected outcomes) to coaching practice in athletics and rugby, identifying key potential antecedents (e.g., coach education) and outcomes (e.g., likelihood of confronting athletes on doping-related issues) of coach DCE beliefs relevant to one or more of the DCE sub-dimensions. Deficits in coaches’ anti-doping knowledge were also identified, supporting the need for improved anti-doping education for coaches.

Conclusion

By conducting the first qualitative examination of DCE beliefs, we enriched understanding of the DCE model and identified a range of possible antecedents and outcomes of DCE beliefs in technical and S&C coaches. Based on the results of this study, recommendations are posed for revising and expanding the DCE model. Practical recommendations are also offered for coach education.