FIA UPDATE Doping: an industry problem?
FIA CEO David Stalker explains why the FIA has partnered with EHFA and the European Commission to develop a responsible strategy to counter doping in the fitness sector
Union viewing the fi tness sector as falling within the remit of amateur sport. T e Commission’s 2007 White Paper
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on Sport recognised that doping poses a threat to sport and citizens alike, calling on organisations to develop “rules of good practice to ensure that young sportsmen and sportswomen are better informed and educated in the issues of doping”. T e possibility of a doping problem
within amateur sport was also noted at the EU Anti-Doping Conference in 2009, implicating the fi tness sector but doing so without detailed evidence to back it up. Furthermore, the 2011 Lisbon Treaty – Developing the European Dimension of Sport stated in no uncertain terms that the use of doping substances “poses serious public health hazards and calls for preventative action, including fi tness centres.”
industry research We have done some early research and it’s fair to say that the prevalence of doping in our sector varies depending on where you look, what you read, and who you ask. In the UK, for example, frequently
quoted sources regarding the use of androgenic anabolic steroids in the fi tness sector vary from 5 per cent to 65.8 per cent of gym users and everything in between. However, the studies lack consistent methodologies, sample sizes, messaging and strategy. Most studies only investigate steroids, for instance, while most strategies focus on the sort of interventions that would be more at home within the realm of elite sport. T is is why we have worked with
EHFA and the European Commission to establish a network of 11 fi tness sector partners across 10 countries – all national trade associations capable of undertaking primary research into the prevalence of doping within the fi tness sector in their
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n the UK, doping does not always hit the fi tness industry headlines. However, at a European level it’s a very diff erent story, with the European
market. T e project is the result of EHFA’s strong presence and eff orts at the European level to ensure that, as a sector, we are properly represented as a potential partner for public health. EHFA clearly set out its
intentions at its November 2010 summit. Commenting at the time, Harm Tegelaars, EHFA president, said: “We are honoured to work with the European Commission and our strategically picked partners who, for the fi rst time, will review whether there is any basis to assumptions made of doping practices in the fi tness industry. With the support of its partners, EHFA will provide evidence-based information on the extent of doping in fi tness and will critically assess the success of current anti-doping policies and develop new intervention strategies. “We are an important industry for
Health Club Management is the FIA’s Public Affairs Media Partner
NEWS
Doping is still an issue and must be tackled to maintain our integrity
will form the basis on which we can develop a preventative approach to doping in the fi tness sector.
the health of European citizens. As such, we need to act responsibly and recognise where we need to address potentially negative associations relating to our sector and tackle them in an evidence-based way.” As one of the project partners,
the FIA is working in the UK with Leisure-net Solutions to survey club managers, exercise professionals and consumers regarding their experiences, if any, of doping within the sector. T e questionnaires will cover topics such as what people do at the gym, their motivation for working out, any guidance off ered on nutrition, and the prevalence of everything from performance- enhancing to social drugs. T e collated results will help us to
understand not only the prevalence of doping, but also what motivates someone to use these substances, and
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ahead of the curve For me, as with so much of what we do, this is about an industry recognising its responsibilities to the health of the nation. We can’t pick or choose our favourite health issues and, like it or not, doping is still a health issue: the use of steroids, amphetamines and growth hormones has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, liver disorder and stress. Every day of the year we promote
our facilities as safe, and our staff as informed professionals; with that, we’re communicating our ability to act as an eff ective arm of the health service. Ensuring our facilities are free of harmful substances is a central component of this. Whatever the fi ndings of the project,
as doping is perceived to be an issue among certain groups in the sector, we the industry body must get ahead of the curve and overcome any possible negative perceptions of our industry.
september 2011 © cybertrek 2011
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