The Prevalence and Covariates of Potential Doping Behavior in Kickboxing; Analysis Among High-Level Athletes

Abstract

The official reports on doping behavior in kickboxing are alarming, but there have been no empirical studies that examined this problem directly. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, gender differences and covariates of potential-doping-behavior, in kickboxing athletes. A total of 130 high-level kickboxing athletes (92 males, 21.37 ± 4.83 years of age, 8.39 ± 5.73 years of training experience; 38 women, 20.31 ± 2.94 years of age; 9.84 ± 4.74 years of training experience) completed questionnaires to study covariates and potential-doping behavior. The covariates were: sport factors (i.e. experience, success), doping-related factors (i.e. opinion about penalties for doping users, number of doping testing, potential-doping-behavior, etc.), sociodemographic variables, task- and ego-motivation, knowledge on sports nutrition, and knowledge on doping. Gender-based differences were established by independent t-tests, and the Mann-Whitney test. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to define the relationships between covariates and a tendency toward potential-doping behavior (positive tendency – neutral – negative tendency). The potential-doping behavior was higher in those athletes who perceived kickboxing as doping contaminated sport. The more experienced kickboxers were associated with positive intention toward potential-doping behavior. Positive intention toward potential-doping behavior was lower in those who had better knowledge on sports nutrition. The task- and ego-motivation were not associated to potential-doping behavior. Because of the high potential-doping-behavior (less than 50% of athletes showed a negative tendency toward doping), and similar prevalence of potential-doping behavior between genders, this study highlights the necessity of a systematic anti-doping campaign in kickboxing. Future studies should investigate motivational variables as being potentially related to doping behavior in younger kickboxers.

Exploratory study on illegal pharmacologic agents in mixed martial arts performance

“…We believe that the present work will result in future research protocols that can better elucidate the effect of these substances in a sport where many factors can determine the outcome. Our study did not show a competitive advantage and it should also be emphasized that adverse health effects can occur due to the use of doping agents such as AAS [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] . In this sense, educational campaigns can be effective, since doping may be involuntary through ingestion of contaminated supplements 24 .…”

“…According to Hartgens et al 21 , the use of AAS increases short term strength by 5-20%, body mass by 2-5 kg, and increases erythropoiesis. However, it is necessary to consider the lower number of experimental studies which measured the effect of AAS on athletic performance [13][14][15][16][17] . Baume et al 22 did not observe improvement in mental and aerobic performance after multiple doses of AAS.…”

“…In this sense, educational campaigns can be effective, since doping may be involuntary through ingestion of contaminated supplements 24 . However, Sekulic et al 15 observed that kickboxing athletes with a higher level of nutritional knowledge tend to be less influenced in doping use.…”

“…Lutadores dopados apresentaram menor tempo de pausa (83,4±68,3 vs. 131,7±95,2; p≤0,001) e maior tempo em alta intensidade (85,2±86,6 vs. 51,2±73,3; p=0,002) frente a condição Derrota. Quanto a análise técnico-tática em combate em pé, a condição Vitória apresentou maior média frente ao doping em todas as variáveis exceto Knockdowns (p=0,08), golpe simples acertado no corpo (p=0, 15), e na perna (p=0,25) e tentativa de golpe simples (p=0,4). Em conclusão, lutadores que testaram positivo apresentaram maior desempenho nas variáveis físicas (tempo de esforço e tempo de pausa) frente a condição derrota; no entanto, a condição de doping não refletiu melhor desempenho técnico.…”

“…The lack of wide control over doping may encourage athletes to use illegal substances. In a study with kickboxing athletes, Sekulic et al 15 found that the behavior associated with using a doping substance increases when athletes perceive that doped fighters are not caught by the test. However, the equality of conditions and fair play should be the pillars of the sport, and doping rules are necessary for fair competition 16 .…”