Tavares, Ana SofiaCarolino, ElisabeteTeques, PedroCalmeiro, LuisSerpa, Sidonio2024-06-212024-06-212024-05Tavares AS, Carolino E, Teques P, Calmeiro L, Serpa S. Profile of gym-goers who do not use performance-enhancement substances. Front Psychol. 2024;15:1357566.http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/17518This project was supported by FCT/MCTES UIDP/05608/2020, and UIDB/05608/2020 – Health & Technology Research Center (H&TRC).Introduction: Currently the use of prohibited performance-enhancing substances (PES) in fitness and gym settings is a public health concern as adverse health consequences are emerging. Understanding the characteristics of gym-goers who do not use these substances could lead to an important complement to the ongoing research about risk factors for PES use. This study aimed to identify the profile of PES non-use in gym-goers. Methods: In total, 453 gym-goers (mean age = 35.64 years; SD = 13.08 - the measure of central tendency location and measure of absolute dispersion, respectively) completed an online survey assessing sociodemographic factors, exercise characteristics, gym modalities, peers, social influence, attitudes, subjective norms, beliefs, intentions, and self-reported use of PES. Results: Decision Trees showed that being a woman, training less frequently, not practicing bodybuilding, and having a negative intention to consume PES were identified as characteristics of non-users of PES. Discussion: These results may support evidence-based anti-doping interventions to prevent abusive use of PES in the fitness context.engBehavior intentionsDecision treesDopingGym-goersSubstance useFCT_UIDP/05608/2020FCT_UIDB/05608/2020journal article10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1357566