EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS OF STUDENTS REGARDING THE USE OF DOPING IN SPORTS AND FITNESS ACTIVITIES

Abstract

The article examines the issue of developing anti-doping culture among students of the State University of Trade and Economics (SUTE), particularly those majoring in A7 Physical Culture and Sports (n = 61), as well as students of the Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine (PAU) and the National Technical University of Ukraine «Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute» (KPI), who engage in physical exercise and sports (n = 86), based on an empirical study. Purpose of the study. To determine the level of students’ awareness and attitudes toward the concept of «doping». its purpose, and its potential harm or benefits in sports and fitness. Research objectives: to analyze modern scientific approaches to defining and classifying the concept of «doping» in sports; to conduct a survey among first- and second-year students majoring in A7 Physical Culture and Sports at SUTE (n = 61), as well as students from PAU and KPI who engage in physical exercise and sports (n = 86), regarding their understanding of and attitudes toward doping; to determine the level of students’ awareness of the consequences of doping use, methods of detection, and sanctions; to summarize the research results and provide recommendations for the development of anti-doping culture in the student environment. Methodological basis. The study relies on systemic, pedagogical, socio-psychological, and value-based approaches, allowing the phenomenon of attitudes toward doping to be viewed as a component of the moral, ethical, and professional culture of future specialists in physical culture and sports. Materials and methods.. 61 students majoring in A7 Physical Culture and Sports at SUTE and 86 students from PAU and KPI who engage in physical exercise and sports, aged 17-21 years. Methods included surveys, analysis and synthesis of literature, quantitative and qualitative data analysis. The main tool was an author-developed questionnaire. Scientific novelty. The research revealed a low level of anti-doping awareness and emphasized the need to strengthen ethical values among students. Conclusions. Practical recommendations are proposed for integrating anti-doping education into higher education curricula: inclusion of relevant modules into professional training courses, organization of educational activities, and the promotion of fair-play values.