Author(s): DE SANTI, M., SARLO, M., BORGHETTI, M., BRANDI, G., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF URBINO CARLO BO, Country: ITALY, Abstract-ID: 2412

INTRODUCTION
The use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) is a widespread and largely underestimated phenomenon, especially in amateur sports where there are no controls. Particularly, bodybuilders often resort to doping, risking compromising their general and reproductive health. This work aims to analyze the personality traits associated with the use of PEDs and the attitude to doping, and the implications for the reproductive health of bodybuilders.
METHODS
One hundred and four bodybuilders (31.7% female, 68.3% male) were asked to fill out an anonymous questionnaire about PED use, symptoms, and concerns about fertility, contextually with three validated questionnaires on personality traits: the Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS), the Big Three Perfectionism Scale–Short Form (BTPS-SF), and the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI). Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to find correlations between the variables.
RESULTS
The results revealed PED use in 36 bodybuilders (34.6 %), more in men (88.9 %) than in women (11.1 %). The most commonly used substances are anabolic androgenic steroids and growth hormone. In addition, males presented more symptoms, including those related to lower fertility, and had undergone tests or consulted a doctor to assess their ability to conceive. Notably, women who are concerned or have consulted a doctor about the effects of PEDs on their fertility said they do not use them. As expected, PED users had a higher attitude to doping (PEAS score). Regarding personality traits, the multiple regression analysis revealed that the attitude to doping was positively associated with narcissistic perfectionism and negatively with self-critical perfectionism.
CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the high prevalence of doping in bodybuilding. The type of responses and gender differences suggest an underestimation of PED use, especially in females. This study confirms the danger of doping and the possible consequences that their use may have on the reproductive health of athletes. The assessment of doping attitude confirmed its predictive role in the use of these substances. In addition, although it is known in literature that perfectionism is associated with a greater attitude to doping, this study found that narcissistic perfectionism is particularly associated with it. On the contrary, self-critical perfectionism could represent a possible positive personality trait from a doping prevention perspective.