To help raise awareness for Clean Sport Week 2019 we’ve teamed up with UK Anti-Doping to host a free webinar about the risks of Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs.

Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs: Myth & Reality
Recorded on: Wednesday 22nd May 2019
What are Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs?
Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs) are illicit substances used by people who wish to improve their physical appearance and/or enhance their physical performance. This free webinar gives you the facts on IPEDS.
The use of Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs often makes headline news in the popular press. Their use is prohibited in mainstream sports.
The Myths and Reality
For a variety of reasons, there are many misunderstandings and myths surrounding IPED use. It is important that those with an interest in physical activity have access to resources that provide scientifically based knowledge on them.
As such, the overarching aim of this webinar is to provide audience members with a broad understanding of key issues relevant to the use of IPEDs in physical activity contexts.
Areas of Focus
Specific areas of focus will be:
- The main categories of IPEDs based upon their physiological function
- Key motivations for IPED use
- Patterns of IPED use
- Harmful use of IPEDs
- Psychosocial factors
- Possible links between nutritional supplement use and IPED use
Within each of these areas, we will look to explore and explain some of the many myths around IPED use, as well as considering and discussing the relevance of the various physical activity contexts (e.g. sport, fitness, and bodybuilding) in which IPED use takes place.
Learning Outcomes of the Webinar
By the end of this webinar, the audience will be able to:
- Identify the main categories of IPEDs according to their physiological function
- Describe the key motivators for IPED use in different physical activity contexts
- Detail common patterns of use for IPEDs across a range of contexts
- Identify the main types of harms that can result from IPED use
- Describe how social and environmental factors can be used to justify and rationalise IPED use
- Detail how the use of nutritional supplements may be linked with IPED use
Presenter Profiles

Dr Ian Boardley
Dr Ian Boardley is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Birmingham. He has been researching the psychology of IPED use in physical activity contexts for over ten years.
Ian has a particular interest in the psychosocial mechanisms IPED users employ to explain and justify their IPED use. As well as pursuing this interest, he has conducted research on a broad range of topics relevant to IPED use.
Ian leverages the impact of his research through engagement with key organisations such as the United Kingdom Anti-Doping and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. The World Anti-Doping Agency, the International Olympic Committee and the European Union have funded his research.

Martin Chandler is a Research Fellow in Performance Enhancing Drugs at the University of Birmingham. Previously employed by Liverpool John Moores University as a Researcher in Human Enhancement Drugs. He has been studying the use of Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs for over ten years. Martin has presented at both national and international conferences on a range of issues around IPED use. On top of this, he has designed and delivered training for a wide range of relevant audiences and provided consultancy work around IPED policies and expert witness services in criminal trials.
Ask a Question
If you have any questions for the presenters there will be a 15 minute Q&A session at the end of the presentation. You can submit questions via the sign-up page or during the webinar by typing them into the questions box. You can also join in the conversation on social media, use #IPEDwebinar and #CleanSportWeek.
Recording Now Available
More on Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs and Supplements
For more information on image and performance enhancing drugs and nutritional supplements take a look at some of our resources below.
Articles
- Supplements for your brain and body – Which are the best?
- Best supplements for muscle gain by Jim Stoppani
Books
- Ethics in Sport, 3rd Edition
- Anabolic Steroids in Sport and Exercise, 2nd Edition
- Practical Pharmacology in Rehabilitation
Journals
- Performance-Enhancing Drugs I: Understanding the Basics of Testing for Banned Substances
- Hyperhydration-Induced Decrease in Urinary Luteinizing Hormone Concentrations of Male Athletes in Doping Control Analysis Performance-Enhancing Drugs I: Understanding the Basics of Testing for Banned Substances
- Corruption in Sport: Causes, Consequences, and Reform
- Sports Foods and Dietary Supplements for Optimal Function and Performance Enhancement in Track-and-Field Athletes
UKAD protects the right to participate in clean sport
UKAD is the national organisation dedicated to protecting a culture of clean sport. Every day, they are raising awareness of the issues through their extensive education and smart testing programme. UKAD help athletes to understand and follow the rules and prosecute offenders.
Ultimately, UKAD is working for everyone who loves sport – whether competing, training or spectating. They are creating an environment where all athletes know they can compete in the true spirit of sport.