Effect of the level of physical fitness and game participation on attitudes toward doping of elite U-20 soccer players

Summary

The study examines the attitudes toward doping in a sample of U-20 soccer players, intending to establish whether the level of fitness and physical performance constitute risk factors in an athlete’s decision to dope. Given its specific population, this research can inform education programs adapted precisely to U-20 athletes.

Methodology

The study follows a cross-sectional research design. The researchers administered a questionnaire to one hundred and fifteen (115) U-20 soccer players to measure the link between attitudes toward doping and supplementation and physical fitness.

Results

The study found that, on the whole, U-20 soccer players did not approve of doping. There were slight differences between the examined groups, pointing to the fact that the parameters of physical performance and participation in games influence the level of permissiveness toward doping. However, the findings show that the level of fitness does not constitute a risk factor in relation to doping. 

Significance for Clean Sport

Given that the study was carried out on a sample of a precise population of athletes, i.e., U-20 soccer players, it provides information that can help designing anti-doping education programs targeted at this specific group.