The Risks of Sports Doping on Weight Lifters - Research Paper Example

The Risks of Sports Doping on Weight Lifters CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION This part of the study provides information on the research starting from the background of the problem to the various ways the study aims at meeting the needs of research on doping and sports. The background will provide information on the research problem, purpose, specific objectives, hypothesis that the research aims at answering, study significance, and scope. This part therefore aims at meeting the needs of the reader on the reasons for conducting the study and the aims that the study will achieve. 1.1 Background of the Study Doping in sports involves the use of substances by athletes to enhance their performance and give them an advantage over their competitors (Burns, 2006). Doping is unethical behavior according to all the international sports organizations owing to the introduction of testing and banning and fining of athletes for using banned substances. However, doping is rampant some athletes have taken upon themselves and their managers to deceive the doping tests and have a competitive advantage over other athletes. Despite testing being done without advance notification and having a long list of banned substances, cheating by athletes has been rampant and more effective than in the past. It is with the understanding of the rampant cases of doping in sports that this study aims at understanding the risks of sports doping on weight lifters (Saugy et al., January 01, 1996). 1.2 Research Problem According to Thieme and Hemmersbach (2010), doping as a word first mentioned in the English dictionary in 1889 despite the attempts at enhancing performance by athletes having been a much older activity. Doping has its origins 5,000 years in China when use of Ma Hunag (an extract from Ephera plant) was used to suppress coughing and stimulate circulation (Thieme & Hemmersbach, 2010). Further, eating of testicles was recommended by Indian Phisician Sutruta and used by the Huns around 300 BC, hallucinogenic mushrooms in 3 BC show the development of doping in sports. Strong stimulants like cocaine, alcohol, caffeine, and strychnine would later be used by cycles and other athletes to promote endurance (Baron et al., January 01, 2007). Mariani wine that would lead to the conferring of a gold medal to Vin Mariani was also used widely but was banned by Germany in 1920. Start of human tests to reduce athlete doping revealed numerous cases of doping and the start of banning by The International Athletic Federation (IAAF). Substances not allowed for athletes and considered as doping have been introduced by different sports organizations owing to the widespread doping after the introduction of inorganic stimulants and manufacture of hard to trace stimulants (Baron et al., January 01, 2007). Doping instances by athletes are widespread and affect athletes in different competitions including weightlifting. It is from this understanding that this research aims at finding out the risks of sports doping on weight lifters. 1.3 Purpose This research’s purpose will be to understand the risks faced by weight lifters from sports doping. Document analysis and questionnaires will forms the main data collections tools aimed at meeting the study’s objectives and provide recommendations on measures of minimizing the risks that face weight lifters from sports doping. Questionnaires will be sent to 43 weight lifting trainers in New Orleans, and a sample of the respondents will be called for interviews to get in-depth understanding of the effects of sports doping on weight lifters. In particular, the study will determine the risks posed to weight lifters by sports doping. 1.4 Specific Objectives The specific objectives of the study were: 1. To understand the risks facing weight lifters in New Orleans from doping in sports. This objective will be achieved through document analysis, questionnaires, and telephone interviews 2. To determine the measures that can be instituted to minimize the exposure to sporting risks by weight lifters 1.5 Hypothesis The study tested the hypothesis that: The null hypothesis: H0: There are risks facing weight lifters as a result of sports doping The alternate hypothesis: H1: There are no risks facing weight lifters as a result of sports doping 1.6 Significance of the Study The aims of this study are to contribute to the understanding of the risks faced by weightlifters in New Orleans from sports doping. The study suggests measures that can be instituted to reduce the risk of exposure of weight lifters to sports doping. Awareness of the risks facing weight lifters ill allow assessment of the risks and taking relevant measures to reduce the exposure and minimize the impact of the risks to the weight lifters. The study is significant in laying a foundation from facts and theory for policy formulation on sports doping that have an impact on weight lifter and other athletes. 1.7 The scope of the study This study is done on the risks faced by weight lifters from sports doping in New Orleans between December 2014 and February 2015 through cross-sectional survey design. The study will be conducted on 43 weight lifting trainers in New Orleans. The study identifies the risks faced by weightlifters in New Orleans from sports doping. CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 Introduction This part of the research problem reviews research conducted on the effects of doping in sports on weight lifters. This literature review forms a basis for the research and gets an understanding of the various effects that has been noted by previous research to act as a guide for the research in the data analysis section and making of conclusions. The literature review also forms a foundation of knowledge for the researcher when dealing with the research. The French National Centre for Scientific Research (December 1998) details one of the effects of sports doping on weight lifters as death. This is when the athletes participating in certain sports including weight lifting indulge in high levels of banned substances are affected by the banned substances until they can no longer hold on and may result to their death (Houlihan, 1999). The French National Centre for Scientific Research gives the death of Kangasniesmi having taken anabolics. Kangasniesmi’s muscles gave in under the weight resulting in the iron bar falling and breaking his spine. Weight lifters are also faced with the risk of suspension from the sport and subsequent loss of results from sports doping. This is evident with the recent 2-year suspension and acceptance of the sanction by Nikki Carlin, a US weightlifter for taking Oxandrolone and Clenbuterol. RaVaughn Perking was suspended and lost results on 10/9/2014 for testing positive for Furosemide (United States Anti-Doping Agency, 2014). Other weight lifters suspended for participation in sports doping include Ryan Dana (21-month suspension and loss of results for Dehyroepiandrosterone), Sarah Robles (2 year suspension and loss of results for adverse CIR), and Don Ramos (2 year suspension and loss of results) (United States Anti-Doping Agency, 2014). Other weight lifters have been documented for loss or results and suspension showing the other risk faced by weight lifters from sports doping. Perez gives the other risk faced by weight lifters from sports doping as the risks of health consequences for taking doping substances without having the requisite information on the effect of these substances on their health (Perez, 2013; Saugy et al., January 01, 2006). Perez also states that doping in sports increases the risks of weight lifters of chances of winning since when the doping substances are taken by a weight lifter the chances of disqualification and effects on their health increase resulting in increased risk of winning (Deligiannis & Kouidi, December 07, 2012). This is because the athlete may test positive for the doping substances, and these may affect their health. Another risk of doping on weight lifters is the knowledge by young people looking upon them for inspiration of their involvement in doping. Knowledge by the young of a weight lifters involvement in sports doping affects the view of the young on sacrifice and effort to achieve success damaging the ethical aspect of sports and the image of the weight lifter (Hunt, 2011). Sports doping increases the chances of athletes breaking the ethicality of competitions in which they participate owing to the advantage accrued from using banned substances enhancing their performance (Hunt, 2011). Doping in sports also increases the risk of weight lifters having to take tests every time they participate in a competition and if they have been using the banned substances, their chances of testing positive increase and the risk of disqualification are high (Fourcroy, 2009). Weight lifters also face increased risks of reverse anorexia that entails their dissatisfaction of their own bodies from the use of anabolic steroids according to the National Institute of Drug Use (2014) (Yager & O'Dea, March 27, 2014). Anabolic steroids by weight lifters in the hope of increasing their weight to fit in a certain competition category also result in aggressive behavior, negativity, restlessness, long waking hours, and anxiousness (The French National Centre for Scientific Research, December 1998). 2.3 Summary and conclusion The literature review evidences numerous risks faced by weight lifters from sports doping including risks of the banned substances being fatal, suspension from the sport and in some instances the loss of the results. Other risks from sports doping to weight lifters include damage of their credibility and value of sacrifice and effort to the youth, effect on health from lack of adequate information, and that it increases the susceptibility of the weight lifters breaking the ethicality aspect of competitions. CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY 1.1 Introduction This part of the study details the study design employed techniques for the selection of the population, data analysis, and sampling mechanics of the population. The other points explained include data collection, analysis, and presentation used in the study. This part of the study, therefore answers the most pertinent question in research, how will the research be conducted to its completion ensuring ethical guidelines are considered and meet quality needs of the study? 1.2 Research design The study makes use of descriptive research design of cross-sectional type. Mugenda and Mugenda (1999) define a survey as a means of collecting information about a large group of elements referred to as a population. Structured and predefined questions are asked to the respondents from a fraction of the population otherwise known as a sample (Kombo and Tromp, 2006). 1.3 Population and Sampling 3.2.1 Target/ Accessible Population This study is to be conducted on weight lifting trainers in the New Orleans. The choice of the population is because they are the ones involved in training weight lifters and are directly affected by athletes doping. Weight lifting trainers have experience and understanding of the effects of doping in sports and their risks, allowing for better understanding of the risks facing weight lifters, which is the main aim of this study. 3.2.2 Sample The sample in the study consists of 43 weight lifting trainers in New Orleans Thorough analysis, time available, and limited resources are the main reasons for the choice of the study sample. 3.2.3 Sampling Techniques Sampling design entails the selection process of items of individuals from a given population with the selected group having representative characteristics of the entire group as required by the researcher (Kombo and Tromp, 2006). The study used probability random sampling to ensure the selected sample is appropriate. Systematic sampling entails the arranging of the study population in an ordering scheme, in this case in a numbered form, followed by selection of each step down the line; in this case, the third weight lifting trainer is selected from a list of trainers registered in New Orleans. 3.3 Data Collection 3.3.1 Instrumentation The study will mainly utilize questionnaires and document analysis with these methods selected based on the nature of the data, objectives, and time available for the study. The research is concerned with getting the perceptions, views, attitudes, and opinions that are best collected through questionnaires. Document analysis would enable the researcher get further information on the effect of sports doping on weight lifters allowing for balance in quality and quantity of data collected. The target population is literate and has better understanding of communication skills allow for the use of the questionnaire. 3.4 Data Analysis Descriptive data analysis will be used in the owing to the qualitative nature of the data to be collected for the study. Pie chart description of the gender of respondents and a table and bar graph will allow for the analysis of the education levels of the respondents. A bar graph will aid in the description and presentation of the data on respondent’s age distribution. Percentages will also be used in the presentation of the study findings for relevant conclusions to be made. 3.5 Assumptions and Limitations The study will assume that the a sample of 43 weight lifting trainers will have enough information and understanding and represent the views of weight lifters on the risks faced by weight lifters from sports doping for the results to be extrapolated. The reason is time constraints in the study to allow for the collect0ion of data on the views of weight lifters at a larger geographical area and large sample. The study limitation is the small sample selected based on the time available, resources for the study, and the need for a quality and reliable study within the period. 3.6 Ethical Consideration Ethical considerations are taken in the study as detailed in the subsections below: 3.7.1 Informed Consent The researcher will provide information to the respondents detailing the purpose of the study, risks of participation, duration, and confidentiality and privacy considerations in the study allowing for informed consent on participation. The respondents were provided with the information on the purpose of the research, participation duration, risks, or benefits, extent of privacy and confidentiality was provided to the respondents to ensure informed consent for participation in the research. 3.7.2 Privacy and Confidentiality The study will take all the efforts to ensure confidentiality and privacy of the respondents, and third passage of information is only allowed with the respondent’s consent. 3.7.3 Anonymity The respondent’s identity is masked in the study and only revealed to the researcher. References Baron, D. A., Martin, D. M., & Abol, M. S. (January 01, 2007). Doping in sports and its spread to at-risk populations: an international review. World Psychiatry : Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association (wpa), 6, 2, 118-23. Burns, C. N. (2006). Doping in sports. New York: Nova Science Publishers. Deligiannis, A. P., & Kouidi, E. I. (December 07, 2012). Cardiovascular adverse effects of doping in sports. Hellenic Journal of Cardiology, 53, 6, 447-457. Fourcroy, J. L. (2009). Pharmacology, doping and sports: A scientific guide for athletes, coaches, physicians, scientists and administrators. London: Routledge. Houlihan, B. (1999). Dying to win: Doping in sport and the development of anti-doping policy. Strasbourg: Council of Europe Pub. Hunt, T. M. (2011). Drug games: The International Olympic Committee and the politics of doping, 1960/2008. Austin: University of Texas Press. Kombo, K., & Tromp, D., (2006). Thesis writing: An Introduction. Nairobi: Nairobi, Acts Press. Mugenda,O. & Mugenda, A. (1999).Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative approaches. Nairobi, Acts Press. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (July, 2012). Anabolic Steroids. The Science of Drug Abuse. and Addiction. Pérez, T. J. L. (2013). The challenges of modern sport to ethics: From doping to cyborgs. Lanham, Maryland : Lexington Books. Saugy, M., Cardis, C., Schweizer, C., Veuthey, J. L., & Rivier, L. (January 01, 1996). Detection of human growth hormone doping in urine: out of competition tests are necessary. Journal of Chromatography. B, Biomedical Applications, 687, 1, 201-11. Saugy, M., Robinson, N., Saudan, C., Baume, N., Avois, L., & Mangin, P. (January 01, 2006). Human growth hormone doping in sport. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40, 35-9. The French National Centre for Scientific Research. (December, 1998). Doping and Sports: Collective Expert Assessment. Paris: Department of Life Sciences. Thieme, D., & Hemmersbach, P. (2010). Doping in sports. Heidelberg: Springer. United States Anti-Doping Agency. (2014). Santions. Accessed on November 17, 2014 from http://www.usada.org/testing/results/sanctions/ Yager, Z., & O'Dea, J. A. (March 27, 2014). Relationships between body image, nutritional supplement use, and attitudes towards doping in sport among adolescent boys: Implications for prevention programs. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 11, 1.) Read More