Doping in Martial Arts: How Is It Managed?

Background: Doping remains a persistent issue in martial arts, exacerbated by the easy access to over-the-counter medications containing banned substances. Despite existing regulations, athletes often lack comprehensive knowledge of anti-doping measures, leading to unintentional violations.Aims: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a doping management program in improving knowledge and awareness of doping among martial arts athletes.Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed. Twenty-one national-level martial arts athletes were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through structured interviews and standardized questionnaires. The doping management intervention included a web-based doping screening tool, an anti-doping educational module, and a 24-hour online consultation clinic implemented during the 2024 National Sports Week (PON) training period.Results: Hasil menunjukkan adanya peningkatan signifikan dalam pengetahuan atlet terkait doping, dengan skor rata-rata naik dari 54% menjadi 76% (p = 0.002), terutama dalam hal pemahaman mengenai Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE). Namun demikian, studi juga menemukan rendahnya pemanfaatan klinik doping daring, kebingungan terkait prosedur TUE, dan ketergantungan yang terus berlanjut pada pelatih dalam penggunaan obat. Analisis dokumen dan pemetaan kelembagaan menunjukkan bahwa koordinasi antar pemangku kepentingan masih terfragmentasi, serta sosialisasi layanan anti-doping belum optimal.Conclusion: The findings underscore that coaches play a pivotal role in doping management, serving as primary sources of information and guidance for athletes. Strengthening the involvement of coaches in anti-doping education is essential to maintaining a doping-free environment and ensuring the success of doping prevention strategies in martial arts.