A qualitative examination of knowledge of doping, and motivations and/or deterrents to dope, among American and Canadian elite female triathletes

Summary

The objective of the study is to examine the experiences of elite female triathletes from Canada and the U.S. related to anti-doping education and drug-testing procedures, and their knowledge of doping. The results pointed to a gap attributable to the level of experience (i.e., between neo-pro and experienced triathletes) and the differences in the access to formal, structured education between the examined countries. 

Methodology

The study follows a cross-sectional research design and is based on qualitative methods (i.e., focus groups lasting approx. 1.5 hours for each group of triathletes and follow-up semi-structured interviews). The researchers carried out two studies on six (6) elite female American triathletes and six (6) elite female Canadian triathletes.

Results

The study showed that there is a discernible gap between neo-pro and experienced female triathletes, indicating that the former could be at a higher risk of doping when making their way up to the top level. There was also a difference between U.S. and Canadian triathletes, with the latter receiving more structured education, which was not the case for the former outside of the NCAA system. Social media and technology were identified as tools triathletes use to educate themselves on anti-doping.

Significance for Clean Sport

The results of the study have the potential to inform anti-doping education programs targeting both national- and international-level female triathletes and give broader understanding of their attitudes toward doping.