The virtual education of antidoping as a strategy to develop the culture of fair play in the Mexican sport: a gender study

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the level of knowledge and awareness on doping among elite female athletes in Mexico in order to educate women athletes and training teams on fair play, through psychopedagogical actions that facilitate meaningful learning, preventing athletes from voluntarily or involuntarily using prohibited methods or substances. The main question that guided the research was: What level of knowledge and awareness on doping do elite female athletes have in Mexico? For the field research, we designed a questionnaire with 22 questions to explore the level of knowledge and awareness that elite athletes belonging to the State or National team sports of gymnastics, archery, and field hockey have. The answers show that not much is known about some aspects of doping, and this reveals the need for further education on antidoping programs. It is stated that this ignorance on the matter is a threat to athletes who may unconsciously use prohibited substances and methods in sport.