Doping and Unregulated Supplements: A Pending Subject in Universities

Doping and unregulated supplements are prevalent in sports today. An international study led by Francisco de Vitoria University has identified a gap in doping prevention education. Conducted among nearly four thousand students from universities in Spain, Mexico, and Chile, most of whom are future professionals in nutrition, physiotherapy, medicine, or coaching, the study confirms that they are unaware of anti-doping regulations and lack sufficient training on the responsible use of sports supplements.

Led by Millán Aguilar and Alejandro Muñoz, professors and researchers at Francisco de Vitoria University (UFV), the study highlights a concerning gap in the education of degrees in Medicine, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, and Sports Sciences. It proposes incorporating a course into university curricula that integrates scientific evidence and sports ethics.

This training would enable students to identify prohibited substances, manage a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), and, most importantly, protect the health and career of athletes. "It's not about becoming experts in anti-doping legal regulations," explains Aguilar, "but understanding the medical, psychological, and social impact doping has on an athlete's life."

Currently, many Health and Sports Science curricula do not include specific training on doping prevention or evidence-based supplementation. Aguilar and Muñoz propose creating a university anti-doping training manual, in collaboration with Finis Terrae University (Chile) and Anáhuac University (Mexico), as an initial step to incorporate these contents in a structured and effective manner. The goal is to equip future professionals with clear and updated tools to protect the health and integrity of athletes. "There are products with solid evidence, but also a lot of marketing and myths," concludes Muñoz. "If we don't properly train those who advise, sports are built on a very fragile foundation."

For Aguilar, the key is clear: "Universities play a fundamental role in disseminating preventive and educational measures against doping. The fight against this practice begins in the classroom with the training of future professionals who will work directly with athletes."

Ignorance not only exposes athletes to health risks but also to unintentional sanctions. Millán Aguilar, who is also a doping control agent for the Spanish Commission for the Fight Against Doping in Sport (CELAD), warns: "A poorly informed doctor can jeopardize an athlete's career with a simple cream."

This has been confirmed in his recent research conducted in universities in Spain and Mexico, where he evaluated the anti-doping knowledge of over 1,800 students in Medicine and Sports Sciences. The result is clear: most do not know how to process a TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) or identify prohibited substances in common medications.

The problem is not just ignorance but its consequences. Aguilar recalls recent cases of athletes sanctioned for consuming seemingly harmless products that contained banned ingredients. One of the most notable was Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, who was suspended for three months in 2024 after testing positive for clostebol during the Indian Wells Tournament. The player claimed involuntary contamination after receiving a massage with an unauthorized cream applied without gloves by his former physiotherapist. "And if the professional advising them doesn't know, the damage is already done," Aguilar warns.

Between 14% and 50% of over-the-counter sports supplements could be contaminated with undeclared doping substances, according to a recent analysis by Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. The risk is higher in products for muscle gain or weight loss, especially if purchased online or in countries with little regulation. In this context, young athletes are particularly vulnerable, influenced by social media and the uncontrolled promotion of uncertified products.

Alejandro Muñoz researches the effects of legal ergogenic aids on sports performance. For him, the problem is not the supplements but their misuse. "The supplement is not the enemy; the enemy is taking it without knowing what, how much, or when," he summarizes. "Before considering any supplement, one must train, eat, and rest well," advises the professor of the Degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences at Francisco de Vitoria University.

In his studies - published in journals such as the European Journal of Applied Physiology and the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance - he has demonstrated that a moderate dose of caffeine (3 mg/kg) can increase fat oxidation in active women by up to 25% in the morning and 33% in the afternoon. Additionally, he has recorded significant improvements in performance: vertical jump, sprint speed, and shooting accuracy. He has also shown that supplementation with beetroot juice (6.4 mmol of nitrate for three days) improves neuromuscular performance, increasing vertical jump and isometric grip strength.

But not all bodies respond the same. "There are genetic variants - such as those of the CYP1A2 gene - that cause some people to metabolize caffeine more slowly. In such cases, the same dose can cause anxiety, tachycardia, or insomnia," Muñoz notes.