Effects of new anti‐doping measures on sports performance in elite female athletes

Abstract

Studies examining the effects of new anti-doping measures on sports performance in elite athletes are scarce. During the last decade, a number of new anti-doping methods for the detection of anabolic androgenic steroids were developed. We hypothesized that the implementation of these methods may cause a decrease of performance in athletic disciplines where given substances are widely used. For this purpose, the performance results for 10 athletic disciplines from country (Country A), which was widely accused of systematic doping use, were gathered and pooled into the 2012-2015 and 2016-2019 periods. These periods were seen as before and following the implementation periods, where the effects of new anti-doping methods could be manifested. Also, the performance results of their rival athletes from Country B were analyzed for comparison. The incidence of anti-doping rule violations for both countries was followed. The analysis revealed a decrease in performance results of Country A athletes in eight of 10 disciplines. The performance results of Country B's athletes in seven of 10 disciplines did not and in three disciplines did demonstrate statistically significant change. The decrease in performance of Country A athletes followed a high incidence of steroid detection cases by means of new anti-doping methods. It is highly likely that the consequent performance decrease is due to the implementation of new anti-doping methods. The results of the study bring new facts on the effects of new anti-doping methods implementation and demonstrate following decrease in performance results in population of athletes from the country widely accused of doping use.