Towards quality anti-doping education in recreational sports

Our consortium including five programme countries and six partner institutions evaluated various online doping & performance and image enhancing drug prevention tools to determine their acceptability and usability in the fight against doping.The development of a standardised evaluation method was delivered with appropriate adaptations like specific target groups and cultural adaptation of language. A standardised two stage, mixed methodology was incorporated as an online survey, and individual structured interviews with e-learning tool users to assess participants’ experiences of using each tool. The literature review, which was used in the official final report published on the project web page. Three tools were included when acceptability, usability, utility, and implementation of doping e-learning tools were studied: (1) fitness e-learning module, (2) health care e-learning module, and (3) SafeYou app. The e-learning modules were produced by Dopinglinkki, A-Clinic Foundation (FI) and the SafeYou app was made in the previous Erasmus+ project. Before the evaluation the e-learning tools were translated to the target language, the content was culturally adapted, and local video interviews were made. Online surveys and interview forms were translated to match the local language. All partners tested the modules and e-tools carefully. A total of 133 individuals took part across the surveys during the project. They reported that the modules and SafeYou app were useful resources to assist in increasing knowledge of performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs) among diverse groups of professionals who meet people who use such substances. Engagement with the tools was high and most participants had been able to dedicate time to complete them, and had invested time and effort to use them, and complete the associated research materials. Findings from both the survey and interviews found that all tools were regarded as clear and easy to use and understand. Results from all three surveys found that participants felt using the tool would help them achieve the tools’ intended learning outcomes. Dissemination activities were conducted in every partner country. A total of 78 activities were done during the project. The final international conference held in the end of the project was attended by 58 participants and 62 people have viewed online streaming recordings of the conference which was held during the Finnish presidency of EU. The video presentations, 3 infographics and extensive final report are available on project’s web site. The outcome of the project contributed to the development of a more effective, evidence-based PIED prevention strategy for society. This project informed policy-makers and a large variety of professionals about the usability of several PIED prevention tools in order to be able to take a well-informed position in future policy discussions on PIED regulation in the EU and at an international level.Our project aimed from the beginning to develop a sustainable project. The data bank will stay active as well as the project’s web site and social media account. After the submitted articles will be published the visibility of the project will be increased. The project team members have already been invited to several national seminars to represent the outcomes and best practices of the Erasmus+ project management. Several practical recommendations and considerations were outlined during the project, which can be easily used in other Erasmus+ projects. Finland, as a coordinator of our project, has a proven track-record of world-class education. This project was the first step to share good practices, knowledge and prevention expertise in the field of recreational and public heath anti-doping work in EU level and beyond.