The attitudes and beliefs of paralympians and athletes with disabilities on doping in sport

Abstract

Background: This study aims to analyze the opinions and attitudes of elite athletes with disabilities. Methods: Study participants included a group of elite Polish team members competing in international competitions (including Paralympics) in various sports. The research sample consisted of 100 individuals, including 67 men (67%) and 33 women (33%). The descriptive exploratory design used an instrument that combined a validated questionnaire (Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale; PEAS) with a special questionnaire adapted to athletes with disabilities. Results: The overall mean score from the PEAS scale (range, 11–66, with higher scores representing more permissive attitudes towards doping) was 20.61 ± 11.35, with 21.20 ± 10.96 in men, 19.39 ± 12.20 in women, 20.46 ± 10.92 in Paralympians and world championship participants (Masters), and 21.14 ± 13.16 in other competitors. For more than half (58%) of respondents, doping is uncommon in sports, and sports success can be achieved without doping (88%). The vast majority of respondents (90%) do not know people who use doping. Conclusion: The lack of response and hesitation in answers suggest that the respondents did not use doping but also were unaware of doping. Therefore, it seems necessary to implement anti-doping education for athletes with disabilities from the early stages of their sports careers.