In this episode, we talked about the behavioural factors at play when athletes risk so much by taking banned substances.

Very few athletes HAVEN’T tested positive for drugs at some point. Of the 30 fastest men's 100m sprint times ever, only nine have been run by an athlete not banned for drugs, all by Jamaica's Usain Bolt. He holds the record for the three fastest 100m sprints in history.

A survey of US Olympians or aspiring Olympians who were asked if they would use a banned performance enhancing drug were given two scenarios:
* You will not be caught and you will win.
98% of the athletes said they would use the banned performance enhancing drug in this case.
* You will win every competition you enter for the next five years but will then die from the side effects.
50% of athletes said they would use the banned performance enhancing drug in this case (Bamberger, 1997).
The results show just how strong the ‘win at all’ costs attitude is across sporting individuals, only enhanced by the social pressures encountered by every athlete across every sport and level.


Accidental vs purposeful

Whose responsibility?

Crossfit being such an all-rounder

Cost benefit analysis
Risks:
- Getting caught
- Reputation marred for life
- Losing titles / sponsorship
- Lower fertility
- Baldness

Rewards:
- World records
- Faster recovery
- Money
- Fame
- Long term strength gains

Risk aversion

Similar arenas in which such risky behaviour occur:
Criminal behaviour
Drinking driving
Gambling
Free climbing / free diving
Extreme sports
Instagrammers doing stupid things for likes

Punishment isn’t consistent
Reinforcement is intermittent

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Disclaimer: While we’re both behaviour analysts and qualified in our respective fields, this podcast is for education and information sharing only and should not be taken as personal, medical or behavioral advice or services.