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Friehs MA, Klarkowski M, Frommel J, Phillips C, Mandryk RL. Fighting fair: community perspectives on the fairness of performance enhancement in esports. Front Sports Act Living 2024; 6:1330755. [PMID: 38532852 PMCID: PMC10963441 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1330755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aims This study aims to explore community perspectives on enhancer usage in competitive gaming and esports, focusing on the perception of fairness and concerns about various potential performance enhancers. Methods We conducted both qualitative and quantitative surveys to understand the competitive gaming community's opinions on different types of performance enhancers and their potential impact on esports. A thematic analysis was performed to identify key themes in how players rationalize their opinions. Conclusions The gaming community differentiates between potential performance enhancers based on how problematic they are for the esports scene, with the most concern surrounding hard drugs, pharmaceuticals, and brain stimulation interventions. Participants who are more invested in competitive gaming tend to be more sceptical of enhancers and express greater concerns. Four themes were identified in the thematic analysis: (1) risk, (2) morality, (3) enhancer effects, and (4) regulation. To increase acceptance and perceived legitimacy in decision-making, it is recommended that regulators engage a variety of stakeholders in transparent decision-making processes when forming tournament rules and regulations. This will help address the fragmented regulatory landscape and prevent potential differences in the perception of tournament winners based on the governing body supervising the competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian A. Friehs
- Psychology of Conflict Risk and Safety, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Max-Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Madison Klarkowski
- Human-Computer Interaction Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Julian Frommel
- Interaction Media Group, Information and Computing Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Cody Phillips
- Human-Computer Interaction Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Regan L. Mandryk
- Faculty of Computer Science, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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Gjelstad A, Herlofsen TM, Bjerke AL, Lauritzen F, Björnsdottir I. Use of pharmaceuticals amongst athletes tested by Anti-Doping Norway in a five-year period. Front Sports Act Living 2023; 5:1260806. [PMID: 37860156 PMCID: PMC10582642 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1260806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of the study was to map the use of pharmaceuticals by Norwegian athletes registered on doping control forms (DCFs) in a five-year period to examine general and some class specific use of pharmaceuticals across sports and athlete levels. Method Anonymous data from DCFs collected in 2015-2019 were manually entered into a database using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) system for classification of the pharmaceuticals. Variables entered were year of control, gender, age group, athlete level, sport, test type, nationality, and pharmaceuticals (and dietary supplements) used. Results Pain killers in the ATC groups M01 A (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs) and N02 B (other analgesics), and anti-asthmatics in ATC groups R03 A and R03 B were the most frequently used pharmaceuticals. National level athletes reported more use of pharmaceuticals (1.4 ± 1.7 pharmaceuticals per form) than recreational level athletes (0.9 ± 1.2). The highest proportion of DCFs containing information about at least one pharmaceutical were found in speed skating (79.1%), alpine skiing (74.0%), rowing (72.4%) and cross-country skiing (71.7%). Painkillers were most frequently used in muscular endurance sports (30.4% and 21.2 % for M01A and N02 B, respectively) and ball and team sports (17.9% and 17.0%). Use of hypnotics was reported from ice-hockey players and alpine skiers in around 8% of the cases. Coclusion Use of anti-asthmatics was most often reported amongst athletes specially exposed to cold, chemicals and heavy endurance training. Athletes in specialized sports requiring high levels of strength and/or endurance reported a higher use of pharmaceuticals out-of-competition compared to in-competition, while there was no such difference in complex sports, such as team, gymnastic, aiming and combat sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Gjelstad
- Science and Medicine, Anti-Doping Norway, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tine Marie Herlofsen
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne-Linn Bjerke
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Ingunn Björnsdottir
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Chesson L, Jones B, Backhouse SH. "Is the focus in professional rugby ever really on health?": A qualitative study on the uptake of illness prevention guidelines in rugby. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2023; 64:102327. [PMID: 37665812 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Illness prevention is essential for athlete health management, but little is known about its uptake in sport. Prior to the pandemic, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) published a consensus statement recommending illness prevention guidelines are implemented in sports. Yet, little is known about guideline uptake. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the (1) illness experiences of rugby players and athlete support personnel and (2) barriers and enablers to illness prevention guideline uptake in rugby, using the lens of behaviour change theory. In a bid to inform and enhance athlete welfare, we sought to amplify the voices of participants through qualitative inquiry. Between August 2020 and May 2021, 16 semi-structured interviews were undertaken with players and athlete support personnel working across rugby. Analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis. Prior to COVID-19, participants deemed illness to be of little concern, with experience of illnesses and the global pandemic critical enablers to guideline uptake. The rugby environment was a barrier to illness prevention, particularly in women's and academy teams where resource deficiency was highlighted. 'Rugby identity' acted as both a barrier and enabler with participants' passion for rugby driving both guideline adherence and non-adherence. Tackling resource inequalities between men's and women's cohorts is critical to effectively implement guidelines. Coach and player education is essential, and emphasis must be placed on continuing preventative behaviours adopted due to COVID-19. Our findings offer new insight into illness prevention, moving away from prevailing quantitative research, and instead voicing players' experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Chesson
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom; Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club, Leeds, United Kingdom.
| | - Ben Jones
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom; Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club, Leeds, United Kingdom; England Performance Unit, The Rugby Football League, Leeds, United Kingdom; School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia; Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Cape Town and the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Susan H Backhouse
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Cabral MD, Patel DR, Greydanus DE, Deleon J, Hudson E, Darweesh S. Medical perspectives on pediatric sports medicine–Selective topics. Dis Mon 2022; 68:101327. [DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2022.101327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Price OJ, Sewry N, Schwellnus M, Backer V, Reier-Nilsen T, Bougault V, Pedersen L, Chenuel B, Larsson K, Hull JH. Prevalence of lower airway dysfunction in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis by a subgroup of the IOC consensus group on 'acute respiratory illness in the athlete'. Br J Sports Med 2021; 56:213-222. [PMID: 34872908 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-104601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To report the prevalence of lower airway dysfunction in athletes and highlight risk factors and susceptible groups. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES PubMed, EBSCOhost and Web of Science (1 January 1990 to 31 July 2020). ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Original full-text studies, including male or female athletes/physically active individuals/military personnel (aged 15-65 years) who had a prior asthma diagnosis and/or underwent screening for lower airway dysfunction via self-report (ie, patient recall or questionnaires) or objective testing (ie, direct or indirect bronchial provocation challenge). RESULTS In total, 1284 studies were identified. Of these, 64 studies (n=37 643 athletes) from over 21 countries (81.3% European and North America) were included. The prevalence of lower airway dysfunction was 21.8% (95% CI 18.8% to 25.0%) and has remained stable over the past 30 years. The highest prevalence was observed in elite endurance athletes at 25.1% (95% CI 20.0% to 30.5%) (Q=293, I2=91%), those participating in aquatic (39.9%) (95% CI 23.4% to 57.1%) and winter-based sports (29.5%) (95% CI 22.5% to 36.8%). In studies that employed objective testing, the highest prevalence was observed in studies using direct bronchial provocation (32.8%) (95% CI 19.3% to 47.2%). A high degree of heterogeneity was observed between studies (I2=98%). CONCLUSION Lower airway dysfunction affects approximately one in five athletes, with the highest prevalence observed in those participating in elite endurance, aquatic and winter-based sporting disciplines. Further longitudinal, multicentre studies addressing causality (ie, training status/dose-response relationship) and evaluating preventative strategies to mitigate against the development of lower airway dysfunction remain an important priority for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver J Price
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St. James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Nicola Sewry
- Sport, Exercise Medicine and Lifestyle Institute (SEMLI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,IOC Research Centre, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Martin Schwellnus
- Sport, Exercise Medicine and Lifestyle Institute (SEMLI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,IOC Research Centre, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Vibeke Backer
- Centre for Physical Activity Research, Rigshopitalet, Copenhagen University, Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Valerie Bougault
- Laboratoire Motricité Humaine Expertise Sport Santé, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Lars Pedersen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bruno Chenuel
- Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Nancy, Centre Universitaire de Médecine du Sport et Activité Physique Adaptée, Service des Explorations de la Fonction Respiratoire, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.,Medical Physiology, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Kjell Larsson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - James H Hull
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK .,Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH), University College London, London, UK
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Thevis M, Kuuranne T, Geyer H. Annual banned-substance review: Analytical approaches in human sports drug testing 2020/2021. Drug Test Anal 2021; 14:7-30. [PMID: 34788500 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Most core areas of anti-doping research exploit and rely on analytical chemistry, applied to studies aiming at further improving the test methods' analytical sensitivity, the assays' comprehensiveness, the interpretation of metabolic profiles and patterns, but also at facilitating the differentiation of natural/endogenous substances from structurally identical but synthetically derived compounds and comprehending the athlete's exposome. Further, a continuously growing number of advantages of complementary matrices such as dried blood spots have been identified and transferred from research to sports drug testing routine applications, with an overall gain of valuable additions to the anti-doping field. In this edition of the annual banned-substance review, literature on recent developments in anti-doping published between October 2020 and September 2021 is summarized and discussed, particularly focusing on human doping controls and potential applications of new testing strategies to substances and methods of doping specified in the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2021 Prohibited List.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Thevis
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tiia Kuuranne
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Genève and Lausanne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Hans Geyer
- Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents, Cologne, Germany
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