Treating the Elite Athlete: Anti-Doping Information for the Health Professional, (March/April 2015) by Shikha Tandon, Larry Bowers, PhD, and Matthew Fedoruk, PhD, from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) covers an important topic in sports medicine. As stated in the article, clean, safe competition in all levels of sports is vital not only for the athlete’s success, but to sports overall. The Goldman Dilemma is a well-documented survey of Olympic athletes that shows that 50% would take a supplement knowing it would lead to death within five years as long they were guaranteed a gold medal. This thought process in athletes’ leads to the daily battle to keep sports clean.
For the health care provider, understanding the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) process is vital in helping your patients maintain their eligibility while treating them appropriately. As a team physician in major league baseball and my experience as a head team physician at a NCAA Division 1 institution, the correct paperwork from an athlete’s primary care provider smooths this process. Reviewing the USADA and other agencies rules and prohibited drug lists are important. Athletes are ultimately responsible for what goes into their bodies, but many need professional help with these decisions. Another good source is www.nsfsport.com, which certifies supplements and sports nutrition products.
Overall, this review article was vital for any provider with athletes in their practice.