Dissemination of the “WADA's outreach model on antidoping” in youth sport

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to promote in Italy an antidoping awareness program called “WADA’s outreach model on antidoping” (World Anti-Doping Agency, WADA) as a learning method considered highly effective in élite sport, during National Youth Championships of different sports disciplines, in the age group from 14 to 20 years. Through a cognitive survey we wanted to: 1) evaluate the participants’ knowledge on the risks related to the use of doping substances and their attitude regarding illicit behaviors; 2) evaluate the effectiveness of the awareness-raising initiative; 3) make aware and educate young athletes to an antidoping culture, through the “WADA’s outreach model on antidoping” and a direct discussion with experts. METHODS: In both the first and the second year of research, promotion stations for the “WADA’s outreach model on antidoping” program were set up in 5 national youth events of 5 different sports. The subjects interviewed were N.=831 (male=217 and female=269 in 2016, and male=174 and female=171 in 2017). During the competition days, the athletes and their coaches were assessed on their knowledge of doping through an interactive computer game, the “WADA’s outreach model on antidoping, and through a questionnaire. Each participant was, then, given a questionnaire to appreciate the initiative. A descriptive analysis of the data was carried out on the sub-populations of the various sports disciplines during the two years of the survey. RESULTS: The questionnaire score was overlapping in the two years and showed a substantial disagreement with the use of doping in the youth sports population. Coaches have shown less knowledge of the subject than athletes. Fifty-five percent of the participants showed appreciation to the initiative. CONCLUSIONS: The goals achievement confirmed the project utility, when considering either the informative and formative issues.