An Explanatory Model of Doping Susceptibility Examining Morality in Elite Track and Field Athletes: A Logistic Regression Analysis

Elena García-Grimau (), Ricardo De la Vega (), Rafael de Arce () and Arturo Casado
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Elena García-Grimau: Department of Physical Education, Sport and Human Movement, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
Ricardo De la Vega: Department of Physical Education, Sport and Human Movement, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
Arturo Casado: Centre for Sport Studies, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933 Madrid, Spain

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 24, 1-11

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to develop an explanatory model of doping susceptibility among competitive track and field athletes using a logistic regression analysis accounting for some morality-related variables which were not explored in previous studies. A total of 281 Spanish elite track and field athletes (49.5% women, 48.4% have competed with the national team) completed an online survey measuring different constructs in relation to doping susceptibility. The final model demonstrated that nutritional supplements (OR: 2.39; CI: 1.16–4.90; p < 0.05), moral disengagement (OR: 2.17; CI: 1.48–3.19; p < 0.001), acceptance of gamesmanship (OR: 1.29; CI: 1.12–1.49; p < 0.001), and descriptive norms (OR: 1.21; CI: 1.04–1.41; p < 0.05) are the factors better explaining doping susceptibility. The profile of the athlete at risk of being more susceptible to doping is represented by someone who is aged under 20 years, believes that doping is present in his/her sport, has positive attitudes of acceptance of gamesmanship, is morally disconnected from doping, and frequently consumes nutritional supplements. It is recommended to deliver education related to the use of sports supplements and potential ill-effects of performance-enhancing substances or methods, and to engage athletes in doping prevention programs at an early age.

Keywords: doping behavior; moral disengagement; decision making; competitive sport; sport supplements (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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