Doping Tendency in Volleyball: Analisys of Specific Correlates among Profesional Players

Abstract

Doping is one of the most important problems in contemporary sports, but studies have rarely examined the correlates of doping tendencies (DT) in professional volleyball. The aim of this study was to evaluate DT, and to define sociodemographic factors, factors of knowledge on doping and nutrition, and sport-factors associated with DT in professional volleyball athletes. The participants were 209 volleyball players (106 females; 23.4±2.02 years of age) who were tested for DT, specific sociodemographic variables (age, education level, marital status, parental status, religiousness), sport factors (experience in volleyball, competitive achievement at junior and senior age), knowledge of doping and knowledge of sport nutrition (KSN), and previously validated questionnaires. Positive DT was low (<9% of players declared positive DT), with no significant association between DR and gender (Chi-square = 0.01, p-level = 0.94). Logistic regression results calculated for the binarized DT as outcome (negative DT vs. positive DT) showed lower religiousness (OR = 0.68; 95%CI: 0.41-0.81), and lower KSN (OR = 0.81, 95%CI: 0.67-0.98) as significant correlates of positive DT. The effects of proper nutrition on sport performance are likely the reason for the protective effect of better KSN against doping. There is a certain possibility, that religious beliefs and practices can offer certain protection against doping by providing a sense of meaning and purpose, but it should be specifically explored in more details in future studies.