Use of injections in amateur and professional cycling.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how and why injections were used in professional and amateur cycling. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with cyclists hoping to join a professional team (n=6), neo-professional cyclists (n=2), and former professional cyclists (n=8). Professional cycling was perceived harmful. The injections and self-injections were perceived as a necessity at the professional level, being more efficient for recovery than oral ingestion. Self-injections were less widespread in amateur than in professional cycling and were more hidden in professional cycling since the various doping scandals. The more experienced cyclists played an important role in the younger cyclists’ initiation to self-injections. The acceptance of injections and self-injections in the professional peloton follows the harm reduction strategies. Harm reduction strategy may be a more efficient approach to doping than actual WADA zero-tolerance approach.