1 in 7 Age Groupers Dopes? Truth or Headline?
Full article below, online here: http://www.irishtriathlon.com/index.php/2014/01/ironman-triathlon-doping-epo-steroids/
I am bummed they didn't ask what the time / Personal Best was...given how similar everything else was in the comparison of the two groups re training time, etc.
I know of dopers at the AG level, and a handful have been caught, but according to the parameters of the study, it seems that taking a recovery shake would also constitute doping (protein, etc).
On some level, since pro men times at the IM distance have been relatively stagnant for years, yet the top of the Age Group ranks gets faster every single year...it does make you wonder a bit.
What do you think?
Over 1 in 7 dope at Ironman Triathlon, according to study of 3,000 triathletes
The largest survey into both Physical and Cognitive Doping was carried out amongst triathlon competitors has shocking results. It was carried out on 2997 triathletes at Ironman Frankfurt, Ironman 70.3 Wiesbaden and Ironman Regensburg. The <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/downloads/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ironman-triathlon-doping-study.pdf');" href="http://www.irishtriathlon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ironman-triathlon-doping-study.pdf" style="color: #e67933; background-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">triathlon-doping-study conducted at German Ironman races</a> was published in the international, peer-reviewed, open-access publication <a title="plos one online journal" href="http://www.plosone.org/" target="_blank" style="color: #e67933; background-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px;">PLOS ONE</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> (eISSN-1932-6203). The shocking findings are
- 13% admitted to physical doping; Steroids, EPO, Human growth hormone, etc
- 15% admitted to cognitive doping; antidepressants, beta-blockers, modafinil, methylphenidate, etc.
- 10% admitted to both physical and cognitive doping
- 20% admitted to physical doping at Ironman european championships Frankfurt
Triathlon Doping is not just for high performing athletes
These figures are for recreational ironman triathletes, pro athletes were excluded from the study. While many have suspected that there was a doping problem in Triathlon, I think few would have expected it to be as big as 1 in 7 ironman triathletes. People may have suspected that it was just the professional athlteles who maybe tempted to dope to win, but this study shows that it goes right across the spectrum of athletes. The table below compares the physical and training characteristics of those doping, with those not doping.
| Physical doping | Not physical doping | Cognitive doping | Non cognitive doping | ||
| Age, years | 38 | 40 | 39 | 40 | |
| Height, cm | 180 | 180 | 179 | 180 | |
| Mass, kg | 74 | 74 | 74 | 74 | |
| BMI | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | |
| Years of training, years | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
| Hours/week, hours | 14 | 12 | 15 | 12 | |
| Km/week bike, km | 200 | 180 | 200 | 200 | |
| Km/week running, km | 42 | 40 | 40 | 40 | |
| Km/week swimming, km | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Triathlon doping points that jump out are
triathlon doping is overwhelming pill poppong
- There’s little difference between the doping and non-doping ironman triathletes in terms of age, weight, BMI (body mass index).
- The doping athletes only train slightly more than the non-doping athletes, by 2 to 3 hours a week.
- These dopers are not kids trying to make the step up to the pro ranks, as the average age is 38 or 39 years old.
- These dopers are clearly not high training volume athletes, the 14 to 15 hours a week is typical of what many club athletes would do (who are racing olympic distance races), let alone the high volumes required to properly race at Ironman distance.
A few other points are contained within the triathlon doping study
20% of Ironman Frankfurt competitors were using physical doping, according to the study
- there’s little difference between male and female doping.
- there’s more doping at the Ironman Frankfurt (almost 20%), which is the ironman european championships, in comparison to approx 10% at Ironman 70.3 Wiesbaden and Ironman Regensburg.
- 1/3 of the questionnaires were filled out in english, so these results are not just typical of German ironman triathletes.
Also these figures just relate to doping substances, the use of legal substances was much higher (legal suplimente axamples are: creatine, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, caffeinated drinks, gingko biloba).
Triathlon doping study, author’s comments
“We were not too surprised at the extent of cognitive doping,” said Prof Perikles Simon, from the University of Mainz, one of the authors. ”I think it is quite realistic and it goes hand-in-hand with the prevalence rates that have been found in the US at the college level.”
“There is some searching for additional help, we found a strong connection between those taking legal cognitive enhancers and those taking illicit ones,” said Prof Simon.
“There seems to be a certain proportion of our society that is willing to take a bit more of a risk to gain an advantage.”
Statistical accuracy of triathlon doping findings
It surveyed almost 3,000 recreational ironman triathletes and excluded those racing in the pro-field. While the number of responses decreased as the survey questions progresses (as is typical, but also expected when the questions are contentious), the results were large enough to have state at a 95% confidence level that the confidence intervals are 10.5-15.4% (so 13% mean is used) for Physical doping and the confidence intervals are 12.7–17.6% (so 15.1% mean is used) for Cognitive doping.
Clarity of triathlon doping questions
The authors accept that getting to a precise definition of what constitutes doping is difficult. They tried to be as clear as possible in their questions on the different types of enhancement.
Physical doping: Have you used substances which can only be prescribed by a doctor, are available in a pharmacy, or can be bought on the black market (such as anabolic steroids, erythropoietin, stimulants, growth hormones) to enhance your physical performance during the last 12 months?
Cognitive doping: Have you used substances which can only be prescribed by a doctor, are available in a pharmacy, or can be bought on the black market (such as caffeine tablets, stimulants, cocaine, methylphenidate, modafinil, beta-blockers) to enhance your cognitive performance during the last 12 months?
Comments
Hoo Boy!
Immediate reactions:
Specifically to the article if you take caffeine you were a doper. If you take anti depressants you were a doper. I thought the article was pretty ridiculous.
BUT... I think there is a problem in tri. How big? Not a clue.
I just race myself against the clock. The clock isn't on anything. I don't want to get wadded up in guessing who does or who doesn't do PEDs.
This is suppose to be fun right?
When I see IM winners in the 50+ age groups 30+ mins ahead of the next guy, then a steady stream of finishers after, I have tremendous reservations that that individual is winning due to working harder and genetic talent. Take a look at the outliers at IMAZ 2013 for the men's 50-69 age groups. I see a number I would like tested. And if I was that good, I would want to be tested so others would know I am clean.
I suspect there is a large percentage doing what they know to be at least on the gray side (anti-aging therapy anyone?)...and not just the winners...just think about baseball...numerically, there were probably more guys on the #22-28 side of the 25 man roster who were doping and just trying to hang on than there were stars.
When they are advertising on TV for testosterone that gets applied to you just like underarm deodorant.......
@WJ those players in the 22-28 range of the roster were also motivated by million dollar contracts!
In any case, like many of the rest of you, I'm racing against myself and I guess luckily not in contention
As to the whole concept of AG doping, it's pretty laughable. If you group folks into those who race against the clock and those who race against the field (not mutually exclusive), you'd probably assume most of the dopers are in the group that races the field. For those AG athletes, in the grand scheme of things there is really nothing at stake. Maybe some of them have coaching careers and want to turn in great results for credibility, but really, what a joke. Sorry, there is no fame or fortune in winning your AG in some race that only 5000 people in the world even know exists. I'm not trying to diminish the accomplishments of the folks in EN (or even in this thread!!) who have won their AG. Not at all. And maybe some of them would rate their AG win / podium / etc at whatever race as one of the things about which they are most proud in their entire lives. But I think that would be the minority. For most of us the stakes are just not that high. This is recreation. It is fun to be competitive and to race. But it is recreation. So really the concept of doping is silly to me.
Notwithstanding the above, of course I would love a level playing field. I do a fair amount of consulting work in the defense industry and need to be able to pass a drug test at any time. So I would gladly pay some annual fee to be in a pool of "more competitive athletes" who would submit for random testing and the like. But the reality is that the cost and logistics of such a system are daunting and it just won't happen.
I also think there may be another dynamic happening in tri that distorts people's views. Triathlon is still some what in its infancy. When I got involved in 1997 the sport was only about 19 years old. The older athletes spilled over from running or cycling. The younger folks started IN tri and over the years have continued to improve. Endurance is built over years not just a few seasons. That is why you see the 40-44 year age group so freaking strong. These people, if they stayed with their training, have a fantastic base. Each year is just building on to that base and adding even more speed.
Also no one knew how to train correctly . Taper what the hell is that a candle?
There is a gentleman here in Atlanta Jon Adamson. The guy is a mutant. He qualified for Hawaii every year as well as all the short course stuff. He was a big time runner (ran Boston every year on the old standards) and then took up tri. In any tri race I could never beat this guy when I was in my 40's and he was 21 years older than me. He still qualifies for worlds and nationals and at the ripe old age off 77!!!!! Sadly all the endurance and the aging process has played hell on his body. BUT I know him and his family and he would never ever have touched any PED. Jon was good because he retired at 55 and trained 24/7 after retirement! It is his life and passion.
That is the sad thing with this topic to Al's point and this thread immediately veered to it. If you are good you must be on something. Chrissie Wellington was a mutant in tri yet no one blamed her for PED usage.
I would almost bet all of you know a Jon Adamson. It is a shame to discount their successes by saying they are good because they are on something.
I think people have just become BETTER from training smarter, using new technology and the years of experience. Saying that the pros have not shown the comparable improvement over the years is like saying why can't a Marathoner break two hours.
Why? Being the addict that I am I think I can understand it..... Like any drugs ... It makes you feel good, PED's make you look better, perform better, recover better , increase your libido, come on these are attractive side effects...... Its addicting..... And like any drug you probably say just this once and then you like it.... With my history of drugs and alcohol I'd be afraid to try PED's....
The solution? I think for at least WTC IM's .... Test all KQ's and all pro's .....Yep its expensive but so is KONA!!!
Many of us are subjected to random drug/alcohol testing through our employers... I lived with it for 21 years at the FAA , being tested maybe 6-7 times over that period not counting the 2 tests prior to employment...
And, I guess the bigger picture, in my mind at least, is that the tri thing is a part of my life. It isn't my WHOLE life. Are a few years of being able to stand on a podium where maybe 1,000 people know or even care who you are worth your health and wellness for the rest of your life? Is it worth that risk? For something that won't even "define" you later in life anyway?
I truly hope that that study is skewed and not accurate. I also realize that, if by some chance it is true, I'm going to have to ignore it. Any amount of my jumping up and down and screaming and pointing fingers at people isn't going to make a damn bit of difference....but it will ultimately cause me to no longer enjoy a sport that is a wonderful supplement to an already blessed life. So maybe I choose to just stay naive, work my butt off to reach my potential, and if "my best" isn't good enough to beat "those" people? Maybe I'm ok with that.
Better to lose with integrity than to win with deceit......
@ Ray A physician friend mentioned antidepressants can also reduce pain which could allow for an increase in training intensity. It is the reason why you are taking those meds that matters as to the doping/normal use. Same with beta blockers, its the intent. Apparently there are NFL athletes that take ADHD meds because they help you focus better. Another friend mentioned that cognitive doping, using stuff like ADHD meds without prescriptionis very common among students, to where they don't even see it as wrong or doping.
Another comment from a friend that surprised me was that there have been rumours of a fair amount of doping in the older age groups in marathons. That was disappointing and sad to read.
I've been asked many times why I run marathons or do triathlons when I clearly don't win anything or even come remotely close to the front. There are some driven, type A folks who feel the need to be seen as winning at everything they do regardless of the cost.
Great discussion!
I think the advancements and increased availability of anti-aging therapies is what's really causing a blurring of many, many lines. I could see someone following this decision tree:
The world -- healthcare, quality of life maintainence, technology -- is changing, very, very quickly. I believe at some point the rules of amateur sports will have to make a change, or continue to force more and more of it's participants to be branded outlaws.
@Anu Beta blockers are NOT on the prohibited WADA list they are legal. That was my point in the article it says they are illegal.
From WADA
P2. BETA-BLOCKERS
Unless otherwise specified, beta-blockers are prohibited In-Competition only, in
the following sports.
? Archery (WA) (also prohibited Out-of-Competition)
? Automobile (FIA)
? Billiards (all disciplines) (WCBS)
? Darts (WDF)
? Golf (IGF)
? Shooting (ISSF, IPC) (also prohibited Out-of-Competition)
? Skiing/Snowboarding (FIS) in ski jumping, freestyle aerials/halfpipe and
snowboard halfpipe/big air
Beta-blockers include, but are not limited to, the following:
Acebutolol, alprenolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, bunolol, carteolol,
carvedilol, celiprolol, esmolol, labetalol, levobunolol, metipranolol,
metoprolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, timolol.
(I was logged into my dad's account to check his training plan!!)
I think they are slowly working on it.... what do you think the Age Group Ranking system will be in a few years? My bet is just like Pros and Age Groupers will need points to qualify at some point. They will sell it as it is still possible to qualify off winning your age group a major race, but the point system will favor people that do more than one IM or multiple 70.3s as well. Therefore the KQ crowd will be heavily encouraged to do more branded races and skip the challenge, rev 3, and independent races so they can rack up more points.
To try and get back on topic... I would gladly pay more money for the already overpriced Kona/70.3 worlds slot if it funded drug testing. The problem is a single drug test in competition doesn't do anything as very few people are stupid enough to get caught by that. It is the other 11 months of the year that they need to be monitored and out of competition testing costs significantly more. From the limited knowledge I have on this subject, it sounds like the blood passport testing over years is the only way to really catch the guys that know what they are doing.
I like Ray's comment the most and I'm back to racing the clock and myself.
I have a fair amount of experience in the drug testing field, I've personally done over 1,000 drug tests on athletes. Mostly college and some pro athletes. That being said, I'm very wary about the push for out season drug testing in amateur triathlon. Frankly the tests itself at a WADA lab (only two in the US) is quite high. The cost for me to come to your house and do a proper out of competition random test is even higher. While I could potentially stand to benefit someday financially from drug testing triathletes (the company I contract for does not currently test triathletes) I would rather see my race fees lower than really care about some knucklehead who wants to do use banned substances. The cost for a street drug panel like those you receive at work is quite low and there are a ton of labs that are willing to do them. I know people are doping, I suspect even some very middle of the pack idiots are taking banned substances partly to feed their ego and make them look cool to their facebook friends.