Lo sport in pillole. Farmaci e doping nello sport non professionistico

[Machine translation] In this volume we present the results of a study aimed at investigating, through a sociological perspective, the use (legal and illegal) of drugs and supplements to improve sports performance in a sample of competitive, non-professional and adult athletes. We have carried out an exploratory study (online survey) on the consumption of supplements and drugs to improve sports performance with the aim of collecting data on the characteristics of those who take performance substances (socio-personal data, sports played, etc.) and on their consumption patterns and to compare the profiles of athletes who do not use performance substances with those who use them. The online survey was supplemented by a qualitative study, focused on the consumption of doping substances, with the objective of: describing the paths through which some athletes come to use doping substances; understanding the meanings that they attribute to their experience with doping. This study represents the first attempt, carried out in Italy, to investigate how to become consumers of performance-enhancing drugs.