Preventing doping in sport: An investigation of the attitudes and perceived role of high performance coaches

Summary
 
The objective of the study is to examine the coaches’ attitudes, subjective norms, personal control, and behavioural intent with respect to doping. Through surveying a sample of two hundred and sixty-six (266) coaches, the researchers found high levels of aversion towards doping, but also low levels of confidence in knowledge of anti-doping as a whole and the efficiency of anti-doping strategies. The study also identifies the need for more targeted educational programs.   

Methodology

The study follows a cross-sectional design and is based on a survey intending to examine the attitudes and understanding of doping of coaches and strength conditioning trainers. The researchers studied two hundred and sixty-six (266) coaches and strength conditioning trainers of fourteen (14) nationalities, various levels of experience and sport, the majority of whom were male. 

Results

The results of the study showed that neither coaches nor trainers approve of doping. However, of the categories that the researchers studied, strength and conditioning trainers were more likely to condone doping behaviours, pointing to the need to develop education strategies targeting physical development coaches. In addition, despite most trainers having received pertinent information on anti-doping, less than a quarter were confident in their knowledge. Finally, twenty-nine (29) percent of coaches were asked by their athletes about the strategies to prevent doping, particularly inadvertent, nineteen (19) percent of coaches knew an athlete who engaged in doping behaviours, and forty-one (41) percent of coaches considered current anti-doping strategies inefficient.

Significance for Clean Sport

To date, despite the widely acknowledged role of trainers in their athletes’ decision to dope, most studies did not examine the coaches’ attitudes toward doping. This study fills that gap, investigating their perspective on doping, subjective norm, personal control, and behavioural intent. The researchers identify the extent to which trainers comprehend their athletes’ decision-making processes and their views on doping, underscoring the perceived inefficiency of the prevalent strategies and the need for more targeted educational program