Taking Strides Toward Prevention-Based Deterrence: USATF Coaches Perceptions of PED Use and Drug Testing

Abstract

As national anti-doping organizations (NADOs) adopt preventative measures to complement detection-based deterrence methods, understanding coaches’ attitudes toward drugs in sport will take on a new importance. This study was conducted to measure coaches’ attitudes in the sport of track and field toward performance enhancing drug (PED) use and drug testing. A total of 254 track and field coaches (Age: 33.4 yrs ±9.7) completed a 51-item survey. Coaches who were certified reported they felt more knowledgeable about PED use (rs = .168, p = .004) and that they had learned about PED use and testing through the USA Track and Field (USATF) coaches education program (rs = .220, p < .001). USATF certified coaches also reported a stronger perception that the coach plays a key role in PED deterrence (rs = .158, p = .006). These findings suggest that national sport governing bodies (NGBs) like USATF have taken significant steps to educate prospective coaches on the topic of PED’s and drug testing and these measures have positively impacted coaches.