The Impact of Managerial and Cultural Training on Reducing Doping Use Among Professional Bodybuilding Athletes

Doping is a serious issue in professional sports that not only endangers athletes' physical and mental health but also undermines ethical principles and competitive values. In bodybuilding, due to intense competitive pressures, athletes increasingly turn to doping to achieve rapid and significant results. These pressures are often exacerbated by coaches, teammates, and even society. Although regulations by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and other international organizations exist to control this problem, research has shown that these rules alone are not sufficient. The psychological, cultural, and social complexities of doping require complementary approaches such as managerial and cultural education. Therefore, complementary solutions like managerial and cultural education are essential to influence athletes' attitudes and behaviors.Managerial training, which includes providing detailed information on the harms of doping, anti-doping regulations, and the ethical consequences of using such substances, is recognized as one of the most effective tools for raising awareness among athletes. This education not only helps athletes gain a better understanding of the consequences of doping but also offers them alternative strategies for improving athletic performance. In addition, cultural education promotes ethical values and healthy competition, emphasizing the reinforcement of positive attitudes among athletes.In Iran, with the rapid growth of bodybuilding and its importance at both national and international levels, the need for similar educational programs is strongly felt. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of managerial and cultural training on reducing doping use among professional bodybuilding athletes. The statistical population consisted of ۲۰۰ professional bodybuilders in Iran, from which ۱۲۰ were randomly selected as the sample. Data was collected using a standardized "Attitude Toward Doping" questionnaire approved by WADA, which assessed athletes' knowledge of doping, their attitudes toward anti-doping regulations, and related behaviors. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods, using SPSS software, were employed for data analysis. Independent t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression were used to examine relationships between variables.The results of this study showed that managerial and cultural education significantly reduces the tendency to use doping among athletes. Participants in these educational programs exhibited a more positive attitude towards healthy competition and adherence to ethical principles. This research can serve as a model for developing anti-doping policies in other sports and promoting sports ethics.Keywords: Performance-enhancing substances, Doping prevention, Sports ethics, Managerial education, Cultural education

کلیدواژه ها:

Performance-enhancing substances ، Doping prevention ، Sports ethics ، Managerial education ، Cultural education