Sport Physiology & Management Investigations

Sport Physiology & Management Investigations

Developing a model of sports drug and supplement abuse among Iranian novice athletes using the Three-Factor Framework

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Rahman Soori 1
Mohammad Mohammadi 2
1 Professor, Department of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 Instructor, Department of Sports Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Malayer of University, Malayer, Iran
10.22034/spmi.2025.483386.2667
Abstract
This study investigated performance-enhancing substance misuse among non-professional athletes in Iran, developing a predictive model and proposing intervention strategies. Using a sequential mixed-methods design, the research first employed a quantitative descriptive-correlational approach with cross-sectional data collection, followed by qualitative validation through two expert focus groups (n=10; 52-minute and 38-minute sessions). The study population comprised athletes aged ≥15 years with ≥1 year training experience across 20 Iranian provinces, representing 19 sports disciplines (including football, martial arts, swimming, and weightlifting). Cluster random sampling was used, with data collected via a researcher-developed questionnaire. Analytical methods included descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality testing, Pearson's correlations, and path analysis (SPSS 22 & AMOS). Key findings revealed significant relationships between substance misuse and: athletes' attitudes (β=0.22), influencers (β=0.17), access (β=0.18), ethical-cultural factors (β=-0.01), audiovisual media (β=-0.15), economic factors (β=-0.14), education/research (β=-0.15), and supplement distribution oversight (β=-0.14). The final model identifies eight predictive factors: attitude, ethical-cultural dimensions, media exposure, social influencers, accessibility, economic constraints, educational gaps, and regulatory weaknesses in supplement distribution.
Keywords
Drug abuse
sports drugs and supplements
model presentation
non-professional athletes
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