No young athlete starts a career with the intention to use doping. Still, it often goes wrong. New research at Radboud University has to prevent athletes from seeking refuge in forbidden substances.

An athlete who spends his or her childhood winning every competition they compete in, is close to signing a professional contract, but gets injured right before an important tournament… what do they choose to do? ‘We have learned from experience that athletes in a situation like this are inclined to use doping to get back on their old leven’, says developmental psychologist Tirza van Noorden, who hopes her research helps athletes to stay strong in times op temptation.

Under the guidance of psychologist Brigitte Claessens, Van Noorden is going to research five hundred young athletes who have a top sport or talent status at sports umbrella association NOC*NSF. ‘It is a prevention programme in cooperation with the anti doping authority, financed by the global anti doping agency WADA. The eventual goal is to encourage young athletes to think about doping use and to become aware of the consequences, so that they will not easily be inclined to use doping.’

Dilemma’s
Young talented athletes are usually against doping, says Van Noorden. But that opinion is mainly formed by the people around them. When the chips are down, the good intentions fade to the background for a performance enhancing pill. ‘I want to show young athletes that doping is not as black and white as it is presented sometimes. We show them situations in which it can be tempting to use it. With every dilemma, we show what the consequences can be when someone does or does not choose to use doping. This way, athletes learn why doping is never a smart choice.’

Van Noorden is still at the start of her research and is trying to find as many young athletes as possible. It is going well. ‘One baseball coach heard of the study and was so enthusiastic that he immediately discussed it with his team. He says that in American baseball, doping is a big problem. He wants to arm his pupils as much as possible before sending them to the U.S. Our study will help him do that.’