Athletes’ perceptions of performance enhancing substance user and non-user prototypes

AimThis study explored athletes’ perceived prototypes of performance enhancing substance (PES) users and non-users to facilitate a broader understanding of the risk/protective factors for doping use.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted involving n = 147 current/ex-competitive athletes. Following ethical approval, athletes (mean age = 25.51, SD = 8.47 years; 40.8% male) from 30 sports completed an online open-ended questionnaire. Participants were required to describe their perceived positive and negative images of PES users and non-users. Inductive content analysis established the main themes within the data.ResultsThe perceived prototypes of PES users and non-users were most commonly related to: motivation to succeed, confidence, commitment, temperament, fear of competition, rule abiding, reliability and sociability. Characteristically, PES users were seen as motivated, confident, unreliable and rule breakers, whereas non-users were perceived to be role models, reliable and risk averse.ConclusionThe results suggest athletes’ perceptions of PES user characteristics may not be solely negative. Athletes who perceive PES user prototypes favourably may be vulnerable to dopingvia motivation that is elicited from future possible selves. Therefore, athletes’ perceptions of PES user and non-user prototypes may act as risk/protective factors for doping.ImplicationsTailored anti-doping should target athletes’ prototype perceptions to enhance the prevention of doping in sport.

► Positive and negative prototypes were identified for performance enhancing substance users and non-users
► Performance enhancing substance users were perceived to be motivated, confident and rule breakers
► Athletes characterised non-users as role models, reliable and risk averse
► Universal performance enhancing substance user and non-user prototypes may not exist but may influence doping use
► Prototype perceptions provide a new approach to anti-doping via targeted interventions aiming to modify desired selves