Author(s): Tavares, Ana Sofia ; Carolino, Elisabete ; Teques, Pedro ; Calmeiro, Luis ; Serpa, Sidonio
Date: 2024
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/17518
Origin: Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa
Subject(s): Behavior intentions; Decision trees; Doping; Gym-goers; Substance use; FCT_UIDP/05608/2020; FCT_UIDB/05608/2020
Introduction: Currently the use of prohibited performance-enhancing substances (PES) in fitness and gym settings is a public health concern as adverse health consequences are emerging. Understanding the characteristics of gym-goers who do not use these substances could lead to an important complement to the ongoing research about risk factors for PES use. This study aimed to identify the profile of PES non-use in gym-goers. Methods: In total, 453 gym-goers (mean age = 35.64 years; SD = 13.08 - the measure of central tendency location and measure of absolute dispersion, respectively) completed an online survey assessing sociodemographic factors, exercise characteristics, gym modalities, peers, social influence, attitudes, subjective norms, beliefs, intentions, and self-reported use of PES. Results: Decision Trees showed that being a woman, training less frequently, not practicing bodybuilding, and having a negative intention to consume PES were identified as characteristics of non-users of PES. Discussion: These results may support evidence-based anti-doping interventions to prevent abusive use of PES in the fitness context.
