Doping in Italy: An Analysis of its Spread in Ten Years

Abstract

Aim: Doping affects the sport. Its explosive spread has triggered the response of sports' and government's institutions. The aims of this study were to know the spread of doping in Italy, what were the most used substances and/or method and in which sports it was more common. Moreover, what instruments were used to contrast it. Methods:We have analysed the doping's spread in Italy since 2003. The data come from the databases of government and sports Italians institutions. We have compared those data and focused our attention on substances and/or methods discovered in athletes. Furthermore, data's combination showed the reason of drug addiction. Results:In Italy, only 3% of checked athletes are doped, many of them are men and young athletes dope less than the older ones. Doped athletes play mainly cycling, athletics, swimming and football. The prominent peak of them is in the Central and Southern Italy in 2008 and 2010. Moreover, the analysis of data relating to galenic preparations declared during the year 2012, shows that 75% of the prescribed substances are diuretics and masking agents, anabolic steroids and stimulant. Regarding the substances, cannabinoids and stimulants have recorded the highest consumption. Conclusion:The data show only the tip of the iceberg due to doping's secrecy. Every substance that give pleasant sensations or help the subject in his activity will bring him to repeat the consumption. Frequently, new substances and methods are discovered. For this reason, to contrast this phenomenon, there are legislation instruments together with various funded projects.

Doping Prevalence in Competitive Sport: Evidence Synthesis with “Best Practice” Recommendations and Reporting Guidelines from the WADA Working Group on Doping Prevalence

“…Studies placed in SRP employed four different methods for determining prevalence, which were Direct Survey (DS) , Random Response Technique (RT) [102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110], Qualitative Interviews (QI) [111], and Network Scale Up (NS) [55]. Studies placed in SAP employed four different methods for determining prevalence, which were Testing Figures (TF) [112][113][114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121], Blood Profile (BP) [122][123][124], Anti-Doping Rule Violations (AD) [125][126][127], and Hair Sample (HS) [79]. One study [79] was found to use a method assigned to SRP and to SAP, thus it was included in both with its two assessment scores included independently in Electronic Supplementary Material Appendix S4.…”

Gender Difference, Nutritional Supplements and Drug use in Sport to Enhancing Performance: an Italian Revision over the Last Decade

“…The law established a particular Committee, "Committee for the Monitoring and Control of Doping and the Protection of Health in Sporting Activities", with the main aim of identifying the classes of prohibited substances and the competitions to be monitored, determining the conduct of anti-doping controls, promoting information campaigns for the protection of health in sporting activities and prevention of doping. Since 2003, every year the above mentioned Committee, elaborates and transmits a report containing detailed data on the spread of doping in Italy as well as activities to prevent and combat the phenomenon (Mazzeo et al 2016a).…”

Risk Assessment of Lead and Cadmium in Some Food Supplements Available on the Romanian Market

“…When talking about improving performance, we generally talk about the doping (intentional use by the athletes of drugs or methods aimed at obtaining an improved sports performance beyond the limits possible only with training). There are many studies related to this subject, highlighting the potential health hazards caused by doping [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. The use of dietary supplements among adolescents raises concerns because of differences between children and adults and the potential for the presence of additives or adulterants in dietary supplement products [ 16 , 25 , 26 ].…”