Striegel H, Vollkommer G, Dickhuth HH.
J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2002 Sep;42(3):354-9.
Medical Clinic and Policlinic, Department of Sports Medicine, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, Germany. heiko.striegel@web.de

BACKGROUND:
Doping has developed into a widespread problem in competitive and high-performance sports due to increasing professionalism in, and commercialization of sports. In contrast, governments and sports organizations have limited financial resources to support all competitive sports. Therefore, further improvement of anti-doping measures can only be achieved through the inclusion and active participation of the athletes themselves.
METHODS:
In this study, 101 German athletes who are subject to national and international anti-doping tests were asked if doping in sports should be combatted, and which anti-doping measures appeared effective from an athlete's perspective.
RESULTS:
Ninety-eight point zero two per cent of those questioned felt that measures should be taken against doping in sports. Improved methods of detection and more information on the health risks were favored, as opposed to more severe punishments. In addition, more than two thirds of the athletes supported the introduction of an anti-doping law. The desire for more frequent drug testing was also expressed, despite the distinct invasion of the athletes' privacy.
CONCLUSIONS:
An anti-doping law, as requested by the athletes, should include measures for educating the public about the health risks involved with doping. In addition, such a law would also make it possible to develop suitable methods of detection.

PMID:
12094127
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Stilger VG, Yesalis CE.
J Community Health. 1999 Apr;24(2):131-45.
West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506, USA.

Eight-hundred seventy-three Indiana high school football players were surveyed to investigate the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Subjects were varsity football players that were randomly selected from 27 high schools throughout Indiana. Out of a possible 1,325 subjects, 873 or 66% participated in the study. Subjects completed a 50 item questionnaire that measured demographic information, perceived use of AAS, reasons for use, and how AAS are taken.

The results indicate that 6.3% of Indiana high school football players were current or former AAS users. The average age at time of first use of AAS was 14 years and 15% began taking before the age of ten. Almost half of respondents indicated they could obtain AAS if they so desired, and that other athletes, physicians, and coaches were listed as sources for AAS.

Athletic trainers can play a vital role in disseminating accurate information about AAS abuse, including the long-term adverse health risks. These messages should begin with students and athletes as early as the fourth and fifth grades and delivered as often as possible throughout the school years.

PMID:
10202692
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Chad Starkey, Thomas E. Abdenour, David Finnane
Journal of Athletic Training Volume 29 * Number 2 * 1994
Department of Physical Therapy at Northeastern University
in Boston, MA 02115.

Since the inception of NCAA-mandated drug screening in 1986, college athletic trainers have found themselves involved at various
levels in institutional drug-screening programs. Several legal, moral, and ethical questions have been raised regarding the drug screening of college athletes, and studies have been conducted to rate athletes' attitudes toward this practice. We examined the responses of certified athletic trainers employed in college settings
to ascertain their attitudes toward the drug screening ofathletes in general, and, specifically, how they view their role in this process.

Surveys were distributed to 500 college athletic trainers randomly selectedfrom the membership database maintained by the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Inc (Dallas, TX).

The results of this survey indicate that the majority of athletic trainers feel that their association with the drug-screening process places them in the dual role of police and counselor, but that this relationship does not negatively affect their rapport with their athletes. Opinions regarding the drug-screening process and the importance of education in deterring drug use are somewhat dependent upon the athletic trainer's involvement in the drug-screening process. Athletic trainers possess a stronger desire to serve as resource persons who organize substance abuse education programs ratherthan serving as administrators of the sampling process.

Drug and alcohol use by Canadian university athletes : a national survey / J.C. Spence, L. Gauvin. - (Journal of Drug Education 26 (1996) 3 (1 September); p. 275-287)

• PMID: 8952211
• DOI: 10.2190/V8KU-CW0L-WAQH-1D3A

Abstract

To gauge the extent of drug and alcohol use in Canadian university athletes, we estimated the proportion of Canadian university athletes using social and/or ergogenic drugs through survey methods. A secondary purpose was to examine athletes' perceptions of the value of drug testing and drug education programs. Using a stratified random sampling procedure, 754 student athletes were surveyed in eight different sports from eight universities across Canada. Results showed that 17.7 percent of athletes have used major pain medications over the past twelve months, 3 percent reported use of weight loss products, 0.9 percent reported anabolic steroid use, 16.6 percent reported use of smokeless tobacco products, 94.1 percent reported use of alcohol, 65.2 percent reported use of caffeine products, 0.7 percent reported use of amphetamines, 1.0 percent reported use of barbiturates, 19.8 percent reported use of marijuana or hashish, 5.9 percent reported use of psychedelics and 0.8 percent reported use of cocaine/crack.

S J Somerville, M Lewis
The John Kelso Practice, Park Medical Centre, Ball Hay Road, Leek ST13 6QR, UK; simon@somerville22.freeserve.co.uk

Objectives: To identify educational needs of elite sportspeople with respect to the doping laws.

Methods: A questionnaire survey of 196 Olympic level sportspeople from the fields of athletics, cycling, rowing, and sailing. The questionnaire addressed the date and source of the last doping educational update, the usefulness of current resources, sources of help, and possible ways of improving the system. The questionnaire also sought to estimate the use of nutritional supplements in these sports.

Results: Seventy four (38%) athletes responded to the questionnaire. Over 90% of responders had received a doping educational update in the last six months, and most agreed with the statement ‘‘I have received the information I need to avoid getting into trouble with the doping laws’’. Despite this, more than half of responders agreed with the statements ‘‘I should receive reminders more often’’ and ‘‘The authorities should do more to educate sportspeople’’. In addition, there were four people who admitted taking a banned substance by accident. Forty one (55%) reported taking supplements. The team doctor was the most popular source if information on a substance or product was required, with 62% and 66% of subjects stating that they would contact their team doctor when based in the United Kingdom and abroad respectively. The UK Sports website was often suggested in relation to ways of improving knowledge.

Conclusions: There is a need to alter the educational process, particularly with respect to contingency planning for minor illness. The use of internet based resources for up to date information about banned substances needs to be promoted, and access to the internet improved. The educational needs of team doctors with respect to the doping laws need to be assessed.

Shirazi A, Tricker R.
J Drug Educ. 2005;35(1):29-46.
Northern California Health Care System, Pharmacy Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Martinez 94553-4668, USA. aidashirazi@sbcglobal.net

This study compared the perceptions of head athletic trainers (HATS) from NCAA member Divisions I, II, and III regarding current athletic department drug education policies in their institutions.

A Web-based questionnaire collected responses from 353 HATS. Drug education programs focused more on providing information about the negative consequences of drugs than changing the attitudes and behaviors of students in relation to drug use. More Division I and II schools offered comprehensive ATOD education programs to their athletes compared to Division III schools; however, the majority of these programs were not scheduled on a regular basis. HATS in all divisions reported that the abuse of alcohol and other drugs by student athletes during and after athletic and social events was a significant concern and indicated the importance of scheduling drug education programs closer to such events. Majority of HATS did not view participating in the drug education programs as part of their professional duties; however, they expressed an interest to increase their involvement in these activities.

PMID:
16270696
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Shields EW Jr.
Adolescence. 1995 Winter;30(120):839-61.
Department of Physical Education, Exercise & Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-8605, USA.

Through observations and perceptions of athletic directors/coaches, this study (1) broadly examined substance abuse of adolescent (high school) student-athletes; (2) made comparisons of substance abuse between student-athletes and students comprising the general student body; and (3) made selected comparisons of substance abuse between the regional data of this study and that of a national survey of high school coaches done by George H. Gallup International Institute (1991). Some comparisons were also made with the findings of a survey of drug use patterns among a sample of 10,883 public school students conducted by the Alcohol and Drug Defense (ADD) Section, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (1991; 1989; 1987a, 1987b) and a survey of drug use patterns among 2,685 high school student-athletes (Shields, 1988).

The drug abuse problem for student-athletes was observed-perceived to be of lesser magnitude regionally than nationally and to be less for student-athletes with their peers in the general student body. In virtually every comparison of student-athletes with their peers in the general student body, the drug problem was seen to be less for student-athletes, and in some instances, dramatically less.

PMID:
8588520
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Beliefs about steroids : user vs. non-user comparisons / M.J. Schwerin, K.J. Corcoran. - (Drug and Alcohol Dependence 40 (1996) 3 (March); 221-225)

• PMID: 8861400
• DOI: 10.1016/0376-8716(95)01211-7

Abstract

The differences in beliefs about the effects of anabolic steroid (AS) use between AS users and non-users provides potentially important clues to understanding AS use. Two groups of bodybuilders were used in this comparison: AS users (n = 20) and non-users (n = 27). Subjects completed a 40-item scale measuring their beliefs about the effects of steroids, both physical and psychological (Beliefs About Steroids Scale: BASS). MANOVA comparisons between AS users and non-users on the BASS items indicate that AS-using bodybuilders believe that AS enhance their physical strength, athletic ability, confidence, assertiveness, feelings of sexuality, and feelings of optimism.

Dona Schneider, Joyce Morris
Joumal of Athletic Training Volume 28 * Number 2 * 1993
Urban Studies and Community Health at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in New Brunswick, NJ 08903

We surveyed varsity athletes at a Big East university to assess
attitudes toward a mandatory drug education and testing program and examined whether there were differences in drug-related attitudes and behaviors based on gender or varsity sport.

We found no statistically significant differences in personal drug use behaviors based on gender or team affiliation. Attitudes about drug use and knowledge of a teammate using drugs did show significant differences based on varsity sport. Tennis players were most likely to agree that drug use by college athletes is socially acceptable. Lacrosse players were most likely to know of at least one teammate using drugs. Overall, attitudes towards the mandatory drug education and testing program were ambivalent. About half of our responding athletes believed drug testing was necessary and discouraged drug use. Only 17% believed that the program was an invasion of privacy.

Scarpino V, Arrigo A, Benzi G, Garattini S, La Vecchia C, Bernardi LR, Silvestrini G, Tuccimei G.
Lancet. 1990 Oct 27;336(8722):1048-50.
Institute DOXA, Gallup International Research Institutes, Milan, Italy.

To evaluate knowledge of, attitudes to, and use of illegal drugs and other forms of "doping" in sport 1015 Italian athletes and 216 coaches, doctors, and managers (technicians) were interviewed after selection on a quota basis.

Overall, 30% of athletes, managers, and coaches and 21% of doctors indicated that athletic performance can be enhanced by drugs or other doping practices. Over 10% of athletes indicated a frequent use of amphetamines or anabolic steroids at national or international level, fewer athletes mentioning blood doping (7%) and beta-blockers (2%) or other classes of drugs. These proportions were 2-3 times higher for occasional use than for frequent use. Estimates by managers and coaches were much the same as those of athletes when allowance was made for larger random variation. 62% of athletes who acknowledged doping reported pressure to do so from coaches and managers. According to over 70% of athletes access to illegal substances was not difficult. Both athletes and technicians awarded higher scores to risk than to efficacy for any substance, although 42-67% of athletes and technicians regarded amphetamines and anabolic steroids as efficacious. 82% wanted stricter controls not only during competitions but also during training.

PMID:
1977030
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]