International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences Vol. 14(1), pp. 20 - 28
DOI: 10.13189/saj.2026.140103
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Anti-Doping Knowledge among Parents of Triathlon Athletes

Yuto Inai ^1,2,*, Koji Sakaguchi ³, Keisuke Ohta ³, Toshihisa Kojima ³, Yoshiaki Yamanaka ^3,4, Norio Murase ³, Fumio Ushijima ³, Ryoji Kasanami ^3,5
1 Welfare, Health and Sports, Okinawa University, Japan
² Information Strategy and Medical Science Committee, Japan Triathlon Union, Japan
³ Medical & Anti-Doping Committee, Triathlon Japan, Japan
⁴ Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, University of East Asia, Japan
⁵ Faculty of Education, Nara University of Education Union, Japan

ABSTRACT

In Japan, cases have occurred in which inadequate home management of medicines contributed to the detection of prohibited substances in athlete samples, resulting in anti-doping rule violations. We aimed to systematically clarify the level of anti-doping (AD) knowledge among parents and guardians of junior triathlon athletes. The target population comprised parents/guardians of athletes competing in junior high school, U19, and U23 triathlon categories (n = 216). An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was distributed during athlete registration (the day before and the day of the competition) and through team outreach, with voluntary participation. The final sample included 75 respondents, none of whom had previously received AD education. The total score for the 10 knowledge items was 4 (range: 0–10) points for parents/guardians and 6 (range: 0–10) points for age-group athletes, with the latter showing significantly higher scores (P <0.01). In response to the question, "Are you interested in recent media coverage of doping?", 49.3% answered "Very interested" or "Interested." Moreover, 12% answered "Yes" to the question, "In your household, do you discuss with your child how prescription and other medications are managed?". These findings indicate that, under the current educational framework, AD information does not adequately reach parents/guardians, who are the athlete support personnel closest to junior athletes. Therefore, the provision of information to parents/guardians regarding AD and medication management should be strengthened.

KEYWORDS
Anti-Doping Education, Field Survey, Parents/Guardians

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Yuto Inai , Koji Sakaguchi , Keisuke Ohta , Toshihisa Kojima , Yoshiaki Yamanaka , Norio Murase , Fumio Ushijima , Ryoji Kasanami , "Anti-Doping Knowledge among Parents of Triathlon Athletes," International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 20 - 28, 2026. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2026.140103.

(b). APA Format:
Yuto Inai , Koji Sakaguchi , Keisuke Ohta , Toshihisa Kojima , Yoshiaki Yamanaka , Norio Murase , Fumio Ushijima , Ryoji Kasanami (2026). Anti-Doping Knowledge among Parents of Triathlon Athletes. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 14(1), 20 - 28. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2026.140103.