Antonela Sinkovic1, Dinko Pivalica2,3, Bozen Pivalica2, Igor Jukic1,4, Damir Sekulic4,5
1University of Zagreb, Faculty of Kinesiology, Zagreb, Croatia
2University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia
3University of Split, Faculty of Health Sciences, Split, Croatia
4Croatian Olympic Committee, High Performance Sport Center, Zagreb, Croatia
5University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology, Split, Croatia
Evaluating an Anti-Doping Education Program for Athlete Support Personnel: Knowledge Gains Without Behavioral Shift
Sport Mont 2025, 23(3), 127-133 | DOI: 10.26773/smj.251018
Abstract
Legal anti-doping knowledge is a critical component of global anti-doping efforts, yet few studies have examined the impact of targeted interventions on legal aspects of anti-doping policy among athlete support personnel (ASP). This study aimed to evaluate (i) the effects of a structured educational intervention on legal anti-doping knowledge among ASP, and (ii) whether changes in knowledge are associated with changes in doping tendency. A total of 183 ASPs (64 females; 45.11±8.90 years of age), including 101 medical staff and 82 coaches supporting senior-level athletes, were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n=99) or a control group (n=84). The intervention group completed a 10-lesson program on anti-doping legislation. Variables included sociodemo- graphic data, sport-related factors, doping tendency, and legal anti-doping knowledge. A two-way repeated mea- sures ANOVA was conducted with Measurement (pre- to post-intervention), Group (Intervention vs. Control), and their interaction analyzed separately for medical staff and coaches. Significant improvements in legal anti-doping knowledge were found in both medical staff (Group × Measurement: F=12.11, p<0.05; Measurement: F=21.05, p<0.01) and coaches (F=37.70, p<0.01; F=20.03, p<0.001) in the intervention group, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. However, increased knowledge did not translate into changes in doping ten- dency. These findings emphasize the value of targeted education in enhancing legal anti-doping competencies among ASPs, though further strategies may be needed to influence attitudes and behaviors.
Keywords
sports medicine, intervention studies, anti-doping legislation, doping in sports
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