Doping in Hybrid Fitness Racing, the Science, Myths, and Realities – Matt Carpenter

As fitness racing and hybrid fitness explode worldwide, so does the conversation around performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). This week, sports science researcher Matt Carpenter (@mattendurancescientist) joins us for an evidence-backed look into the reality of doping in amateur sports. Matt breaks down the psychological drivers pushing amateur athletes to seek a chemical edge, along with what current research reveals about PED prevalence across various amateur sports. While there are no direct studies on PED usage in fitness racing to date, we explore how data from adjacent sports can help us gauge the likelihood of hybrid athletes seeking a synthetic advantage. We consider some of the compounds often used in sports. From steroids to peptides and from GLP-1s to EPO Matt helps us understand their use. We also consider the growing debate around TRT and ponder if there is any solution that upholds integrity in sport. Finally, Matt unpacks the real-world logistics of drug testing, biological health risks, and what steps Race Directors can consider to try to ensure that their races are clean. Follow Matt Carpenter on Instagram @mattendurancescientist and TikTok @mattcarpenterscience.  If you have any questions about the show or would like to explore advertising opportunities, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. 👉 Learn more about UKOCR by clicking here💖 Enjoy what we do? Support us on Patreon for as little as £2 per month