GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

The study investigated the knowledge, practice and effects of ergogenic aids among Akw

a Ibom State athletes. The five objectives within the scope of the study, and their corresponding research questions and hypotheses included knowledge of ergogenic aids, knowledge of types of ergogenic aids,, knowledge of negative effects of ergogenic aids, knowledge of WADA and WADA’s sanctions on use of PEDs and the practice of ergogenic aids in sports. A sectional ex post facto survey design was used for the study. From a population of 300 athletes distributed into 12 sports, a sample size of 280 subjects, selected by simple random sampling procedure was taken for the study.        A researcher-structured questionnaire, validated by experts and reliability tested with 20 athletes accordingly was used for data collection. The data generated were treated with the Descriptive (frequency, mean and percentage) Statistics to answer the research questions while the Chi-square statistical analysis was used to test the hypotheses, set at probability alpha significant level of .P ? 05.   The results showed that the majority of the athletes has significant knowledge of ergogenic aids, but the majority does not have significant knowledge of types of ergogenic aids, and does not have significant knowledge of negative effects of ergogenic aids. The majority of the athletes have the knowledge of WADA and WADA’s sanctions on use of PEDs; and the majority has significantly practised ergogenic aids in sports. The study concluded that despite having reasonable knowledge of ergogenic aids, the Akwa Ibom State athletes are ignorant of types of and negative effects of ergogenic aids. The athletes know the anti-Doping organization but lack knowledge of punishments meted on defaulting athletes by the Organization. The study hereby recommended among others that the athletes be closely monitored for possible doping practices to maintain healthy sports participation; and Coaches and athletes be sensitized with anti-doping workshops and seminars to acquaint them of banned items in sports.