Physiological Impacts, Regulations, and Ethical Implications of Doping in Sports
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/6j5g3789Keywords:
doping, performance-enhancing drugs, anti-doping regulations, sports ethics, athletic performance, competitive integrityAbstract
impacts of doping substances in sports, examine current regulatory frameworks, and evaluate ethical implications for competitive integrity. The study synthesizes existing research to provide a comprehensive understanding of doping's multifaceted effects on athletic performance and sports governance.
Materials and methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SportDiscus from January 2010 to December 2024. Search terms included "doping," "performance-enhancing drugs," "anti-doping regulations," "sports ethics," and "physiological effects." Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria focusing on peer-reviewed articles examining doping impacts, regulatory effectiveness, and ethical considerations in competitive sports.
Results: A total of 127 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Results revealed significant physiological impacts of various doping substances on cardiovascular, muscular, and endocrine systems. Current anti-doping regulations show varying effectiveness across different sports and regions. Ethical implications demonstrate substantial negative effects on fair play, athlete health, and competitive integrity. Emerging challenges include designer drugs, biological doping, and technological advancement in detection methods.
Conclusions: Doping represents a complex multidisciplinary challenge requiring integrated approaches combining scientific research, regulatory enforcement, educational initiatives, and ethical frameworks. Current anti-doping efforts show progress but require continuous adaptation to address evolving doping practices. Enhanced international cooperation and comprehensive athlete education programs are essential for maintaining competitive integrity.
References
Berezanskaya, J., Cade, W. H., Best, T. M., Paultre, K., & Kienstra, C. M. (2022). ADHD Prescription Medications and Their Effect on Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [Review of ADHD Prescription Medications and Their Effect on Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis]. Sports Medicine - Open, 8(1). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-021-00374-y
Bird, S. R., Goebel, C., Burke, L. M., & Greaves, R. F. (2015). Doping in sport and exercise: anabolic, ergogenic, health and clinical issues [Review of Doping in sport and exercise: anabolic, ergogenic, health and clinical issues]. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry International Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 53(2), 196. SAGE Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004563215609952
Birzniece, V. (2014). Doping in sport: effects, harm and misconceptions [Review of Doping in sport: effects, harm and misconceptions]. Internal Medicine Journal, 45(3), 239. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1111/imj.12629
Bolek, C. S., Bielawski, L., Niemcryk, S. J., Needle, R., & Baker, S. (1992). Developing a Competitive Research Proposal. Drugs & Society, 6, 1. https://doi.org/10.1300/j023v06n01_01
Cisyk, J., & Courty, P. (2021). Doping in Sports: A Compliance Conundrum. In Cambridge University Press eBooks (p. 949). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108759458.065
Dimant, E., & Deutscher, C. (2015). The Economics of Corruption in Sports: The Special Case of Doping. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2546029
Dixon, N. (2008). Performance‐Enhancing Drugs, Paternalism, Meritocracy, and Harm to Sport. Journal of Social Philosophy, 39(2), 246. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9833.2008.00423.x
Engelberg, T., & Skinner, J. (2016). Doping in sport: Whose problem is it? Sport Management Review, 19(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2015.12.001
Faiss, R., & Pavot, D. (2020). Examining the Current and Future Scientific Field of Antidoping: “Cheaters Should Never Win.” Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2020.596815
Fehr, E., & Fischbacher, U. (2004). Social norms and human cooperation [Review of Social norms and human cooperation]. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 8(4), 185. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2004.02.007
Filleul, V., d’Arripe-Longueville, F., Pavot, D., Bimes, H., Maillot, J., Meinadier, E., Hauw, D., & Corrion, K. (2024). Doping in elite cycling: a qualitative study of the underlying situations of vulnerability. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1482103
Flores, L. M., Hargrave, S., Clifford, A., Alarcio, G., & Moeller, B. C. (2023). Detection of doping peptides and basic drugs in equine urine using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Drug Testing and Analysis, 16(4), 406. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3544
Foltin, R. W., & Evans, S. M. (1993). Performance effects of drugs of abuse: A methodological survey. Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental, 8(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.470080104
Frías, F. J. L. (2015). Doping and Anti-Doping Policy in Sport: Ethical, Legal, and Social Perspectives. Sport Ethics and Philosophy, 9(1), 86. https://doi.org/10.1080/17511321.2015.1017524
Goh, C. L. (2021). The challenge of regulating doping and non-doping ‘performance-enhancing strategies’ in elite sports. The International Sports Law Journal, 21, 47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40318-021-00183-1
Handelsman, D. J. (2015). Performance Enhancing Hormone Doping in Sport. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26247087/
Hanstad, D. V., Skille, E. Å., & Loland, S. (2010). Harmonization of anti-doping work: myth or reality? Sport in Society, 13(3), 418. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430431003588036
Hosch, G., Ferraro, G., & Failler, P. (2010). The 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries: Adopting, implementing or scoring results? Marine Policy, 35(2), 189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2010.09.005
Houlihan, B., Hanstad, D. V., Loland, S., & Waddington, I. (2019). The World Anti-Doping Agency at 20: progress and challenges. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 11(2), 193. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2019.1617765
Huestis, M. A., & Smith, M. L. (2006). Modern analytical technologies for the detection of drug abuse and doping. Drug Discovery Today Technologies, 3(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ddtec.2006.03.004
Ingegneri, M., Smeriglio, E., Zebbiche, Y., Cornara, L., Visalli, L., Smeriglio, A., & Trombetta, D. (2025). The Dark Side of “Smart Drugs”: Cognitive Enhancement vs. Clinical Concerns [Review of The Dark Side of “Smart Drugs”: Cognitive Enhancement vs. Clinical Concerns]. Toxics, 13(4), 247. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13040247
Karelis, A. D., Smith, J. W., Passe, D. H., & Péronnet, F. (2010). Carbohydrate Administration and Exercise Performance [Review of Carbohydrate Administration and Exercise Performance]. Sports Medicine, 40(9), 747. Springer Science+Business Media. https://doi.org/10.2165/11533080-000000000-00000
Lauritzen, F., & Solheim, A. (2024). The purpose and effectiveness of doping testing in sport. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1386539
Leslie, K., Bourgeault, I. L., Carlton, A.-L., Balasubramanian, M., Mirshahi, R., Short, S., Carè, J., Cometto, G., & Lin, V. (2023). Design, delivery and effectiveness of health practitioner regulation systems: an integrative review [Review of Design, delivery and effectiveness of health practitioner regulation systems: an integrative review]. Human Resources for Health, 21(1). BioMed Central. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-023-00848-y
Loland, S. (2009). The Ethics of Performance-Enhancing Technology in Sport. Journal of the Philosophy of Sport, 36(2), 152. https://doi.org/10.1080/00948705.2009.9714754
Morrison, J. (2023). Lack of evidence that doping is harmful to the health of elite athletes. Performance Enhancement & Health, 11(1), 100245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2023.100245
Palka, M. Z., Bigosińska, M., Siwek, M., Angelova-Igova, B., & Mucha, D. (2023). Doping in Sport—Attitudes of Physical Trainers Students Regarding the Use of Prohibited Substances Increasing Performance. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5), 4574. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054574
Pierzynski, G. M. (1998). Past, present, and future approaches for testing metals for environmental concerns and regulatory approaches. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 29, 1523. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103629809370046
Pöppel, K. (2021). Efficient Ways to Combat Doping in a Sports Education Context!? A Systematic Review on Doping Prevention Measures Focusing on Young Age Groups [Review of Efficient Ways to Combat Doping in a Sports Education Context!? A Systematic Review on Doping Prevention Measures Focusing on Young Age Groups]. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 3. Frontiers Media. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.673452
Ruwuya, J., Juma, B. O., & Woolf, J. (2022). Challenges associated with implementing anti-doping policy and programs in Africa. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.966559
Sanchis‐Gomar, F., Martínez-Bello, V. E., Pareja‐Galeano, H., Brioche, T., & Gómez-Cabrera, M. C. (2018). An Overview of Doping in Sports. In Elsevier eBooks (p. 189). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-813922-6.00016-3
Sewaybricker, L. E., Huang, A., Chandrasekaran, S., Melhorn, S. J., & Schur, E. A. (2022). The Significance of Hypothalamic Inflammation and Gliosis for the Pathogenesis of Obesity in Humans. Endocrine Reviews, 44(2), 281. https://doi.org/10.1210/endrev/bnac023
Slíz, K., & Mikuš, P. (2024). Advances in SARMs anti‐doping analysis [Review of Advances in SARMs anti‐doping analysis]. Drug Testing and Analysis. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3697
Steenbergen, G. J. van, Tsang, Q. H. Y., Heijden, O. W. H. van der, Vart, P., Rodwell, L., Roos‐Hesselink, J. W., Kimmenade, R. R. J. van, Li, W. W. L., & Verhagen, A. F. T. M. (2022). Timing of cardiac surgery during pregnancy: a patient-level meta-analysis. European Heart Journal, 43(29), 2801. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehac234
Teetzel, S. (2022). Philosophical Perspectives on Doping Sanctions and Young Athletes. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.841033
Thevis, M., Kuuranne, T., & Geyer, H. (2024). Annual Banned‐Substance Review 17th Edition—Analytical Approaches in Human Sports Drug Testing 2023/2024 [Review of Annual Banned‐Substance Review 17th Edition—Analytical Approaches in Human Sports Drug Testing 2023/2024]. Drug Testing and Analysis. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3835
Travan, V., Litchfield, C., Osborne, J., & Richards, K. (2024). ‘Cheating’ your way to the top: a focus on language in the Australian media’s representation of performance enhancing drugs. Sport in Society, 1. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2024.2349612
Vistnes, M., Erusappan, P. M., Sasi, A., Nordén, E. S., Bergo, K. K., Romaine, A., Lunde, I. G., Zhang, L., Olsen, M. B., Øgaard, J., Carlson, C. R., Wang, C. H., Riise, J., Dahl, C. P., Fiane, A. E., Hauge‐Iversen, I. M., Espe, E. K. S., Melleby, A. O., Tønnessen, T., … Christensen, G. (2023). Inhibition of the extracellular enzyme A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motif 4 prevents cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction. Cardiovascular Research, 119(10), 1915. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvad078
Vorona, E., & Nieschlag, E. (2018). Adverse effects of doping with anabolic androgenic steroids in competitive athletics, recreational sports and bodybuilding [Review of Adverse effects of doping with anabolic androgenic steroids in competitive athletics, recreational sports and bodybuilding]. Minerva Endocrinology, 43(4). https://doi.org/10.23736/s0391-1977.18.02810-9
Wang, C. (2023). Students’ Attitudes and Behaviors towards Fair Play in Sport. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 11(5), 89. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2023.115008
Published
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nimrot Manalu, Fahri Ridwan Fahri Ridwan, Sopater Ndruru (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
