Doping: Rugby's ever-growing problem

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Being a professional athlete is a challenging journey and can be lonely.

For some individuals, the road to stardom is filled with roses and overall good luck, for others it’s a never-ending story of trials and tribulations.

Not only do they have to deal with the competitive nature of the sport, but also deal with their own internal battles.

Rugby Warfare recently conducted research to better comprehend how players cope with the physical demand of rugby.

While their finding showed that most maintain their physical strength with training, nutrition, good habits and a healthy lifestyle, the reality is that Performance-enhancing substances (PEDS) have become a normal occurrence in some players' regimen.

From the 3925 players, a mix of Amateurs, semi-professionals and professionals, interviewed, Rugby Warfare found that 40 percent of professionals are contemplating using PEDS, while 12 percent admitted that they are currently taking steroids.

The high percentage is alarming, especially with the players knowing the repercussion if tested positive.

Nonetheless, according to Rugby warfare in a psychically demanding sport like rugby the benefits of a speedy recovery, improved size and strength makes PEDS very tempting.

Although steroids give the player extra size,  strength and speedy recoveries, it also increases overall injury rate.

The survey revealed that “for reasons unclear, amateurs and semi-professionals on steroids experience one more injury,”

To make the findings even more staggering, Rugby Warfare’s figures reveal that centre is the position that has the highest percentage of players taking steroids.

*Please note: Rugby warfare asked nearly 4000 rugby players from amateur to pro, questions about their training, nutrition, fitness, lifestyle, drinking etc. From the data, they analysed and compared, found patterns that they nicely made into a designed infographic.

Source: Created by Rugby Warfare