AN ASSESSMENT OF PROHIBITED METHODS OF DOPING AMONG ATHLETES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN SOUTHWEST

Abstract

This paper investigated the prohibited doping methods adopted among athletes in tertiary institutions in Southwest, Nigeria. A descriptive design of the survey type was used for the study. Five hundred and ten (510) elite athletes in the tertiary institutions were sampled for the study from three states (Ekiti, Oyo and Ondo) in Southwest, Nigeria using purposive, simple and stratified random sampling techniques. Data were collected using an instrument titled 'Doping among athletes in tertiary institutions questionnaire'. The reliability of the
instrument was 0.80 using Pearson's Moment Product Correlation method. The data collected were analyzed using frequent counts and percentages and the hypothesis raised was tested using Chi-square test at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that there was a significant difference among athletes in the doping methods adopted to improve their sports performances. The prominent method of doping used among athletes was by
injection. This was followed by chemical manipulation, oral and blood doping. Based on the findings of this study, it was therefore recommended that there should be a restriction on the availability of prohibited substances and methods to athletes. The authorities concerned should facilitate doping controls, support programmes and provision of anti-doping education to the athletes and the community.