Table 6 Data by type of information or support - Research and information seeking

Seeking of general information on IPED use: including effectiveness, dosage, the effects, how to use, types of substances/brand

Friend(s)/Experienced user(s)/Training partners/Peers/Other user(s)/Family

[1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 13, 15, 16]

Online forums*

[3, 8, 17]

Underground books/Magazines

[1, 8, 13, 16, 18]

Doctor(s)/Medical practitioner(s)/Nurse(s)

[1, 4, 12, 15]

Gym contact(s)/Gym trainer(s)/Personal trainers

[1, 4, 12, 15, 19]

Dealer(s)/Supplier(s)

[1,2,3, 11, 12, 15]

Questions to anti-doping hotline/Online service on AAS

[20]

Internet/Specialist websites*

[2,3,4, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18]

Medical journals

[1]

NSP(s)

[2, 4, 12, 15]

Steroid guides in gyms/Other sources

[12, 15, 18]

Research into cycling, stacking and types of substances

Peers/Fellow users

[2, 13]

Websites

[16]

Dealers

[2]

Online forums

[17]

Self-experimentation

[16]

Research into side effects and risk management

People with ‘hands-on’ experience of use/ Steroid guides in gyms/ Underground books/Dedicated websites

[18]

Questions to anti-doping hotline/Online service on adverse side-effects/ Health risks

[20]

Doping tests

Questions to anti-doping hotline/Online service on obtaining positive doping test and penalties

[20]