Citation

Kondric M, Sekulic D, Mandic GF. Subst. Use Misuse 2010; 45(4): 543-553.

Affiliation

University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport, Gortanova 11 Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/10826080903452553

PMID

20141464

Abstract

Substance use and misuse (SU&M) is regularly studied in sports, but we have found no such data for table tennis. We have studied SU&M in athletes competing at the Slovenian Nationals 2008-2009 (responding rate was 100%; 50 males and 29 females; aged 18 years or older). The anonymous questionnaire for studying SU&M and corresponding educational, socio-demographic, and sport factors was used. More than 90% of all the athletes included in our study do not rely on coaches' and/or physicians' opinion regarding nutritional supplements and doping. Chi-square test revealed higher prevalence of binge drinking, cigarette smoking, and potential doping behavior in males. In both genders, with the advancement of the sport status, the probability for potential doping behavior increases. In conclusion, we strongly suggest permanent SU&M educational programs for table tennis athletes as well as for their coaches and physicians.

Language: en