The Perspectives of Amateur Soccer Players and their Coaches on the Use of Performance Enhancing Substances

Abstract

Adolescent and youth sports seem to have progressively developed in South Africa to the point where young athletes are considering doping and the use of performance-enhancing substances (PES). This study determined the perspectives of U-19 soccer players and their coaches in the eThekwini region, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, on the use of supplements and drugs. Male participants (n = 449) playing first team soccer from development clubs in the eThekwini region, and their respective coaches (n = 30), volunteered to participate in this study. A questionnaire was administered to players and coaches were interviewed. Soccer players and their coaches believed that consuming prohibited substances in sport was unethical. The majority of the players (73.9% either agreed or strongly agreed) and coaches believed that doping in soccer is on the increase. About a quarter of the players consumed nutritional supplements and smoked cannabis. Anti-doping educational programmes and behaviour change interventions are vital in order to educate and transform athletes’ and coaches’ perspectives on doping and PES, and their resultant behaviour.

Dietary supplements and beverages: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among semi-professional soccer players in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…[ 21 ] A study on amateur soccer players reported that coaches recommended energy drinks to players. [ 8 ] In the current study, participants mainly relied on online sources and coaches for advice in choosing a supplement for use. Athletes frequently use caffeine-containing beverages before a soccer match to enhance performance.…”

“…[ 2 ] Sports and energy beverages are also commonly known about and used by amateur athletes. [ 8 ] This increasing trend in the use of supplements is also evident in African countries. Fifty-one per cent of soccer players in the Zimbabwean league used dietary supplements, mainly vitamins (20%) and minerals (17%); while 15% reportedly consulted traditional healers for herbal supplements.…”

“…In the province of KwaZulu-Natal, amateur soccer players use supplements, yet lacked knowledge about the risks associated with using these supplements. [ 8 ] This may lead to non-professional soccer players in KwaZulu-Natal becoming susceptible to using prohibited substances.…”