| Summary: | Sports research in the field of social science has shown that regular physical activity leads to wellbeing and positively affects the quality of life. A natural part of being an athlete is learning the functions of the human body, and what’s harmful and destructive, such as drugs (RF 1995). Doping is a constant problem in professional sport. Doping and manipulation of medical preparations in order to maximise performance is one of modern sport’s major problems, according to Blom and Lindroth (1995). I thought it would be interesting to see what the next generation of athletes thinks of doping. The purpose of this survey is to investigate the views on doping among adolescent athletes in ages 15-19. What do they think of it? Are they for or against it? Do they believe that doping is commonly used in elite competition? Would they consider using these substances themselves, if they were legalised? The selection of participants is 130 adolescents in ages 15-19. (83 boys, 47 girls.) All respondents are students at upper secondary sports schools, competing in the following events: Alpine sports, soccer, track and field, ice hockey, biathlon, and cross-country skiing. The foundation “Ren Idrott” has conducted a survey showing that as many as 86,3 percent of the respondents in ages 15-21 believe that doping is commonly or very commonly used in elite sports (RF 2005). The notion that using enhancements is necessary to become world champion did not have much support in this survey. Only 4 % stated that they would use preparations if it guaranteed them the world champion title. A whole 73% believed it would be easy to obtain preparations if one wanted to. Their primary reason to refuse preparationwas the risk of physical injury. A majority of the respondents felt that it is everyone’s individual choice whether to use them.All respondents considered doping in sports unacceptable. 11% of the respondents would however consider using preparations if they were legalised.
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