Effects of Doping Practices among Undergraduate Athletes of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rivers State

Abstract

Doping has been recognized as a significant threat to the core values of sportsmanship, and it has become an issue of critical importance to stakeholders including sports organizations, governments, educational institutions, and healthcare professionals This study examines the effects of doping practices among undergraduate athletes of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rivers State. The study was guided by three research questions and one hypothesis. The study design was descriptive survey research design. The study population comprises all undergraduate student-athletes of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rivers State. Using convenience sampling, 250 undergraduate student-athletes drawn from various faculties and departments of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rivers State. A self-developed instrument with a reliability coefficient of 0.82 was used for data collection. Data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation while hypotheses were tested using an Independent Sample t-test and Pearson's Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The findings reveals that most athletes resort to doping strategically, often during competitive periods, to gain an edge over their peers. The finding also reveals that while some athletes rely on synthetic drugs, others prefer natural or locally sourced substances that they believe are safer or less detectable. The study concludes that concludes that doping is not solely a matter of personal choice, but rather a product of the social, psychological, and economic pressures experienced by athletes in their pursuit of excellence. Many athletes, motivated by peer influence and the desire for success, often overlook the long-term risks associated with these substances. The study therefore recommends that institution should collaborate with the National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to introduce periodic drug testing for athletes participating in inter-departmental and inter-university competitions. Random testing serves as a deterrent and helps identify cases of substance abuse early.