Perception knowledge and attitudes on use of banned substances in sports among junior athletes and coaches in Sri Lanka and development of a learning module to address them through the school curriculum

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Use of banned substances in sports to improve training and performance is an unethical practice. OBJECTIVE: To explore the perceptions and describe the knowledge and attitudes of. junior athletes and coaches on the use of banned substances in sports and to develop a learning module for students of Grades 9 and 10 to address gaps in knowledge and attitudes regarding the use of banned substances in sports. METHODS: This study comprises a qualitative study, a descriptive cross-sectional study, -and the development of an outcome based learning module. Junior athletes and ' coaches of ten sports representing the three best performing schools in each sport participated. Qualitative data were collected from twenty athletes and ten coaches using interviews and thematically analysed using NVivo (version12). In the cross- - sectional study, data were collected from 552 athletes and 30 coaches using a pretested self-administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS Version 21 and presented using frequency distributions. All data were collected after informed written consent of the participants and parents when the participants were under-age. The findings were presented to a panel of experts in sports science, public health and education. Based on expert opinion and theories of outcome based education, a learning module was developed and was reviewed by an independent panel of educational and sports science experts and improved before finalization. RESULTS: Most of the athletes and coaches perceive that they have limited knowledge of banned substances in sports which should be improved. They perceive that the use of banned substances in sports is unacceptable. Only 79% of athletes have heard the term ‘doping’ Athletes engaged in athletics, weightlifting, rugby and badminton have a better level of knowledge. Only 56.7% of coaches report that they regularly update their knowledge. Coaches and athletes identified the school curriculum as the most effective mode to impart knowledge on this topic, followed by digital and print media. The newly developed learning module incorporates traditional and modern pedagogy to deliver content and use assessment methods aligned to learning outcomes. DISCUSSION: There is a clear need to educate school children and coaches about banned substances in sports. School curriculum is recognized as the most effective mode of delivery. The learning module delivered in grades 9 and 10 will be helpful to bridge the current gap in knowledge and attitudes.