Anti-doping education in fitness and bodybuilding: challenges in developing a culture of integrity

Abstract

Abstract. Contemporary development of the fitness industry and the commercialization of bodybuilding is accompanied by the formation of a specific culture of physicality, within which achieving rapid and pronounced results is sometimes associated with the use of pharmacological support. Despite the active development of the international anti-doping system, educational programs are primarily focused on athletes involved in official competitive sports. The segment of fitness and competitive bodybuilding that operates outside traditional anti-doping control mechanisms remains insufficiently covered by systematic educational initiatives. Purpose. To identify the features of doping-related issues in fitness and bodybuilding and to justify the necessity of expanding educational influence in fostering a culture of integrity beyond the traditional sports environment. Methods. The study employed theoretical analysis and synthesis of contemporary scientific publications, systematization of empirical research findings, comparative analysis of international regulatory documents, and interpretation of data on the effectiveness of anti-doping educational interventions. Works addressing psychological determinants of doping behavior, the role of moral values, the influence of social norms, the relationship between dietary supplement use and intention to use prohibited substances, as well as the functioning of anti-doping programs in fitness environments, were analyzed. Results. It was established that most contemporary studies focus on high-performance athletes, whereas fitness and bodybuilding are considered primarily in the context of medical risks rather than the formation of a culture of integrity. Educational information modules increase knowledge but have limited impact on behavioral intentions without integration of ethical and value-based components. An indirect relationship was found between dietary supplement use, positive attitudes toward doping, and subjective social norms. The discrepancy between subjective and objective knowledge increases the risk of inadvertent violations. In fitness culture, aesthetic body standards, commercialization of results, and the influence of the digital environment significantly contribute to heightened vulnerability to doping behavior. Conclusions. Anti-doping education in fitness and bodybuilding should be considered an element of health-preserving and ethical culture formation rather than solely a component of sports jurisdiction. Effective strategies must be multi-level, systematic, and aimed at developing moral attitudes, critical thinking, and responsible health behavior. A promising direction is the creation of an integrated model of anti-doping education encompassing all levels of fitness participation and accounting for socio-psychological mechanisms underlying doping behavior formation.