Elite athletes' perceptions of the effects of illicit drug use on athletic performance.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the perceived risks and benefits that elite athletes associate with illicit drugs and their beliefs concerning the effects of recreational drug use on athletic performance.


METHODS
Self-administered survey.


METHODS
Nine hundred seventy-four elite athletes (mean age, 23 years; range, 18-30 years) were recruited from 8 national sporting organizations in Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport.


METHODS
Participants completed a self-administered survey that included questions exploring participants' perceptions regarding the effects of illicit drug use on physical performance.


METHODS
National sporting organization meetings or competitions.


METHODS
The main outcome measure was risk perception on athletic performance associated with illicit drug use.


RESULTS
The majority of athletes believed that illicit drug use would impact negatively on athletic performance. The main perceived effects of illicit drugs on athletic performance were physical and mental functioning. A minority of athletes indicated that drug use would not impact on physical performance when taken during the off-season or in moderation.


CONCLUSIONS
The main risks perceived in association with illicit drug use were short-term consequences, such as physical and mental functioning, rather than long-term health consequences. The current findings may contribute to the development of harm reduction strategies that communicate drug-related consequences to elite athletes in an appropriate and effective manner.
Thomas
Johanna O
JO
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.
Dunn
Matthew
M
Swift
Wendy
W
Burns
Lucinda
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001290:Attitude; D001315:Australia; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D018570:Risk Assessment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D055815:Young Adult
D013287:Illicit Drugs