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Article

An evaluation of prevention initiatives by 53 National Anti-Doping Organizations: Achievements and Limitations

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Citation

Gatterer K, Gumpenberger M, Overbye M, Streicher B, Schobersberger W & Blank C (2020) An evaluation of prevention initiatives by 53 National Anti-Doping Organizations: Achievements and Limitations. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 9 (3), pp. 228-239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2019.12.002

Abstract
Background One main purpose of the World Anti-Doping Agency is to harmonize anti-doping efforts, including the provision of anti-doping education. A multifaceted approach to doping prevention can play a key role in preventing intentional and unintentional doping. This article aims to systematically record and evaluate doping prevention approaches in the form of information and education activities of national anti-doping organizations (NADOs) and assess the extent to which a multifaceted doping prevention approach has been realized. Methods Data on anti-doping information and education activities of 53 NADOs were collected via a survey and an online search of the NADOs¡¯ websites. Prevention activities were classified into knowledge focused, affective focused, social skills, life skills, and ethics and values based. The implementation of the prevention activities was assessed by 4 independent raters using a modified visual analogue scale. Results In total, 59% of the NADOs (n?=?38) returned the survey and 70% (n?=?45) had information available online. The data were combined for the visual analogue scale assessment. Overall, 58% of the NADOs (n?=?37) reported offering activities including elements of all 5 approaches. Results of the raters¡¯ assessments indicated that the knowledge-focused approach was best implemented; the implementation of the other 4 approaches was largely unsatisfactory. The most common barriers to implementing doping prevention programs reported by the NADOs were lack of resources (n?=?26) and difficulties in collaborating with sports organizations (n?=?8). Conclusion Results show a discrepancy between NADOs¡¯ self-report data and the implementation assessment. Even though the NADOs indicated otherwise, most of their education-based approaches did not address aspects of the visual analogue scale (e.g., resisting peer pressure) and only a few programs were ongoing. Possible explanations might be found in the reported barriers (e.g., financial). Concrete guidelines defining multifaceted, values-based education, and best practice examples should be developed to indicate how to include all 5 approaches in prevention.

Keywords
Anti-doping program; Doping prevention; Education; Harmonization; NADO; WADA

Journal
Journal of Sport and Health Science: Volume 9, Issue 3

StatusPublished
Funders
Publication date31/05/2020
Publication date online24/12/2019
Date accepted by journal19/11/2019
URL
ISSN2095-2546
eISSN2213-2961

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