The determination of knowledge levels related to doping in elite athletes

The aim of the study was to the determine knowledge level related to doping in athletes who performed individual sports. The sample of the research consists of 117 national level athletes (62 wrestlers, 29 teakwondo players and 26 judoists). A personal information form and a questionnaire which aim to determine the athletes’ knowledge levels and opinions about doping and ergogenic supply were carried out for the athletes participated in the research as a means of data collection. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were realized by Eröz. The chi-square test was performed to compare variables. A significant difference was found between the sports branches about whether they intend to use doping for higher performances (X² = 26.764; p 0.01). A significant difference was found between sport branches about whether the athletes intend to use doping due to the fear of losing (X² = 43.207; p 0.01). The athletes’ views about whether they intend to use doping in order to control their excitement were different between the sport branches (X² = 59.035; p 0.01). Opinions about whether the athletes had enough knowledge about doping were different between the sport branches (X² = 16.955; p 0.05). The athletes’ opinions about doping damages to health were found to be significant between the sport branches (X² = 13.742; p 0.05). The athletes, who participated in this study, did not have enough knowledge about doping. Therefore, it may be thought that they are inclined to use doping.