Empowering Young Athletes: Elevating Anti-Doping Education with Virtual Reality

Abstract

In recent times, doping's prevalence in sports has gained substantial recognition, sparking a concerted effort from researchers, policymakers, and sports bodies to underscore the critical role of impactful anti-doping education initiatives. An exhaustive examination of current literature underscores a critical requirement for advanced educational interventions that can effectively combat the multifaceted challenges presented by doping across the spectrum of competitive and recreational athletes. In response to this exigency, this paper introduces an innovative paradigm to redefine anti-doping education through the fusion of virtual reality (VR) technology. This proposed approach seeks to leverage VR's immersive potential, offering dynamic and interactive learning experiences that authentically mirror the complexities surrounding doping decisions. By immersing athletes within lifelike scenarios, VR education aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the psychological and emotional facets associated with doping, all within a secure and controlled environment. However, while the potential of VR in anti-doping education is promising, it also necessitates addressing technical, ethical, and usability considerations, an aspect that this paper further explores.