A1 Journal article (refereed)
Association Between Implementation of the Athlete Biological Passport and Female Elite Runners’ Performance (2020)

Iljukov, S., Kauppi, J.-P., Uusitalo, A. L. T., Peltonen, J. E., & Schumacher, Y. O. (2020). Association Between Implementation of the Athlete Biological Passport and Female Elite Runners’ Performance. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 15(9), 1231-1236. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0643

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Iljukov, Sergei; Kauppi, Jukka-Pekka; Uusitalo, Arja L. T.; Peltonen, Juha E.; Schumacher, Yorck O.

Journal or series: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

ISSN: 1555-0265

eISSN: 1555-0273

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 15

Issue number: 9

Pages range: 1231-1236

Publisher: Human Kinetics

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0643

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/67987

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the performances of female middle- and long-distance runners before and after the implementation of a new antidoping strategy (the Athlete Biological Passport [ABP]) in a country accused of systematic doping. A retrospective analysis of the results of Russian National Championships from 2008 to 2017 was performed. The 8 best female performances for the 800-m, 1500-m, 3000-m steeplechase, 5000-m, and 10,000-m events from the semifinals and finals were analyzed. The yearly number of athletes fulfilling standard qualifications for international competitions was also evaluated. Overall, numbers of athletes banned for doping in 2008–2017 were calculated. As a result, 4 events (800, 1500, 5000 [all P < .001], and 10,000 m [P < .01]) out of 5 showed statistically significant deterioration in the performances when comparing before and after the introduction of the ABP. The 3000-m steeplechase was the only event that did not show statistically significant change. The highest relative decrease in the number of runners who met standard qualification for international competition was for the 5000-m event (46%), followed by 1500-m (42%), 800-m (38%), 10,000-m (17%), and 3000-m steeplechase (1%). In conclusion, implementation of the ABP was followed by a significant reduction in the performance of female runners in a country accused of systematic doping. It can be reasonably speculated that more stringent antidoping testing, more specifically the introduction of the ABP, is a key reason for this reduction.

Keywords: doping; anti-doping; sports; top sports; blood

Free keywords: antidoping; World Anti-Doping Agency; doping in sports; blood doping

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2020

JUFO rating: 1