Knowledge and Attitude Towards Performance-Enhancing Substances and Methods Among Wrestlers, Boxers, and Bodybuilders in Kenya

Boxing, wrestling, and bodybuilding are sports that require athletes to be highly conditioned from both endurance and strength perspective. Hence, the temptation to use performance enhancing substance has become rampant among athletes from these sports. Some of the athletes have tested positive for inadvertent doping after use of performance enhancing substances. This can be blamed on lack of knowledge, as well as attitudes developed by athletes. The purpose of this study was to establish knowledge levels, attitudes towards the use of performance enhancing substances (PES), among athletes from boxing, wrestling, and bodybuilding federations in Kenya. The study utilized cross-sectional analytical research design. The study population comprised of 1900 athletes from the three sports disciplines with a sample size of 384 athletes. Close ended questionnaires were used as the data collection instrument. Data obtained from the respondents was coded and organized for analysis by use of SPSS version 25. Hypotheses were tested using one-way ANOVA and t-test at confidence level of 0.05. Post hoc analysis was carried out using Duncan Multiple Range Test where differences were found to be significant. Results on knowledge indicated that 44.8% of respondents reported that ADAK can advise them on which performance enhancing substances were safe to use. 14.3% reported that they thought PES bought from a pharmacy (over the counter) was safe. In addition, 90% reported that an athlete can be sanctioned for testing positive after taking a performance enhancing substance which they thought was safe. With regards to attitudes, 61.5% of the respondents disagreed that athletes are pressured to take performance enhancing substances. Majority of the respondents (81.5%) disagreed that performance enhancing substances and food supplements should be legalized. Many respondents (95.8%) disagreed that athletes have no alternative career choices except sports, which was a positive attitude. Inferential results on one way ANOVA indicated significant differences in knowledge levels at F (2, 381) = 19.631, p<0.001 and attitudes at F (2, 381) = 25.605, p<0.001 three sports disciplines. In conclusion, knowledge and attitudes of athletes from the three sports disciplines were significantly different. The study recommended that sports federation officials from boxing, wrestling and bodybuilding should have a put proper structures for imparting knowledge and proper attitude on use of performance enhancing substances among athletes.