Portuguese gym-goers versus Performance-enhancing Substances: What do we know?

Background: The use of prohibited performance-enhancing substances (PES) in gym settings and fitness is considered a public health concern as adverse health consequences is emerging. Knowing the characteristics and motivations of those gym-goers who reject PES, despite social pressure to consume, could lead to an important complement to the ongoing research about risk factors for PES use.Research questions: What are the characteristics of PES non-users among a sample of Portuguese gym-goers?Method: Cross-sectional, quantitative study among a convenience sample of Portuguese gym/fitness practitioners (n = 453; 61,3% female; 38,7% male), recruited directly on social networks (Facebook) and by institutional email (via gyms). Data were collected via an anonymous web-based survey, assessing sociodemographic factors, exercise characteristics, gym modalities, peers, social influence, attitudes, subjective norms, beliefs, intentions, and self-reported use of PES. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS V27.0.Results: Decision Trees showed that being a woman, training less frequently, not practicing bodybuilding and having a negative intention to consume PES were identified as characteristics of non-users of PES.Conclusion: This study revealed a set of characteristics associated with PES non-use among Portuguese gym-goers, which may support evidence-based anti-doping interventions to prevent abusive use of PES in the broad fitness/gym context.