A PROTOCOL STUDY FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF CHEMICALLY-ASSISTED PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT IN FOUR DOMAINS

Abstract

Chemically-assisted performance enhancement (CAPE), which involves the use of substances in order to prevent illness or improve performance and appearance, is a recent trend of our society. CAPE has been extensively investigated in competitive sports, however, there is only limited evidence with respect to other life domains such as work and study. The objective of the present paper is to describe the protocol of a study that will address the above-mentioned gaps in the literature. The study involves a longitudinal evaluation of predictive factors derived from the Theory of Triadic Influence and Goal Systems Theory. The study aims to: a) propose a sound and comprehensive theoretical model that will include the commonalities of the manifestation of CAPE behaviours across different settings and b) highlight the conceptual differences that are necessary to be taken into account for tailor-made intervention in these settings. The study is expected to assist in the development of a comprehensive understanding of performance enhancement behaviours across different life domains. The longitudinal design of the study and the breadth of the measured variables are considered as an asset that will contribute to understanding commonalities and conceptual differences in performance enhancement behaviours across different life domains and provide the evidence base for tailor-made intervention in these domains.