A Qualitative Investigation of Athletes’ Views on Clean Sport

Background. Doping is a real problem in sport and continues to be one of the most controversial topics, despite significant advancements in doping prevention. Lack of knowledge of the anti-doping regulations is one of the risk factors for doping. Currently, anti-doping education is focused on clean...

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Main Authors: Beatričė Hoppen, Saulius Šukys
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Lithuanian Sports University 2023-11-01
Series:Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences
Online Access:https://journals.lsu.lt/baltic-journal-of-sport-health/article/view/1402
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author Beatričė Hoppen
Saulius Šukys
author_facet Beatričė Hoppen
Saulius Šukys
author_sort Beatričė Hoppen
collection DOAJ
description Background. Doping is a real problem in sport and continues to be one of the most controversial topics, despite significant advancements in doping prevention. Lack of knowledge of the anti-doping regulations is one of the risk factors for doping. Currently, anti-doping education is focused on clean sport promotion. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the views on clean sport and doping prevention among athletes from various sports. Methods. A qualitative approach was used to examine athletes’ views on clean sport. Following a purposeful sampling technique, we interviewed eight men and one woman (Mage = 24.00, SD = 2.73 years) who were competing in various sports at the national level or above in Lithuania. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results. Analysis of interview data allowed to distinguish the following three broad themes related to athletes’ views on doping education and recommendations for improving it. The research participants shared their thoughts about the concept of clean sport, possible reasons that may encourage athletes to compete in sport clean, and discussed clean sport education. Conclusion. Clean sport can be understood as cheating-free sport. Possible reasons to compete clean in sport are unwillingness to experience shame and fear of damaging health. Athletes believe that current doping prevention is ineffective. Our findings show the importance of clean sport education for young athletes, however, adult education about clean sport could be more difficult. Keywords: doping, clean sport, anti-doping education.
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spelling doaj-art-d78071e997e1448abcc68a3b8703eaf22025-01-09T09:27:31ZengLithuanian Sports UniversityBaltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences2351-64962538-83472023-11-01313010.33607/bjshs.v3i130.1402A Qualitative Investigation of Athletes’ Views on Clean SportBeatričė Hoppen0Saulius Šukys1Department of Physical and Social Education, Lithuanian Sports University, KaunasDepartment of Physical and Social Education, Lithuanian Sports University, Kaunas Background. Doping is a real problem in sport and continues to be one of the most controversial topics, despite significant advancements in doping prevention. Lack of knowledge of the anti-doping regulations is one of the risk factors for doping. Currently, anti-doping education is focused on clean sport promotion. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the views on clean sport and doping prevention among athletes from various sports. Methods. A qualitative approach was used to examine athletes’ views on clean sport. Following a purposeful sampling technique, we interviewed eight men and one woman (Mage = 24.00, SD = 2.73 years) who were competing in various sports at the national level or above in Lithuania. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results. Analysis of interview data allowed to distinguish the following three broad themes related to athletes’ views on doping education and recommendations for improving it. The research participants shared their thoughts about the concept of clean sport, possible reasons that may encourage athletes to compete in sport clean, and discussed clean sport education. Conclusion. Clean sport can be understood as cheating-free sport. Possible reasons to compete clean in sport are unwillingness to experience shame and fear of damaging health. Athletes believe that current doping prevention is ineffective. Our findings show the importance of clean sport education for young athletes, however, adult education about clean sport could be more difficult. Keywords: doping, clean sport, anti-doping education. https://journals.lsu.lt/baltic-journal-of-sport-health/article/view/1402
spellingShingle Beatričė Hoppen
Saulius Šukys
A Qualitative Investigation of Athletes’ Views on Clean Sport
Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences
title A Qualitative Investigation of Athletes’ Views on Clean Sport
title_full A Qualitative Investigation of Athletes’ Views on Clean Sport
title_fullStr A Qualitative Investigation of Athletes’ Views on Clean Sport
title_full_unstemmed A Qualitative Investigation of Athletes’ Views on Clean Sport
title_short A Qualitative Investigation of Athletes’ Views on Clean Sport
title_sort qualitative investigation of athletes views on clean sport
url https://journals.lsu.lt/baltic-journal-of-sport-health/article/view/1402
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