Biometrics & Biometrics & Research MethodsResearch Methods

Tabitha MartelTabitha Martel

November 28November 28thth, 2007, 2007

Research ProblemResearch Problem

Big-orexiaBig-orexia These days there is a race to These days there is a race to

become bigger-stronger-faster become bigger-stronger-faster than the next person.than the next person.

Big-orexia, officially muscle Big-orexia, officially muscle dismorphia, and a form of Body dismorphia, and a form of Body Dismorphic Disorder (BDD) can be Dismorphic Disorder (BDD) can be called a form of an obsessive called a form of an obsessive disorder. It is, in a way, the disorder. It is, in a way, the opposite of Anorexia Nervosa. opposite of Anorexia Nervosa. (TLC, The Man Whose Arms (TLC, The Man Whose Arms Exploded)Exploded)

These extremes are often These extremes are often achieved by means of illegal achieved by means of illegal performance enhancing drugs, for performance enhancing drugs, for example, Human Growth example, Human Growth Hormone.Hormone.

What are often overlooked, after What are often overlooked, after the physical side effects, are the the physical side effects, are the mental and emotional side effects mental and emotional side effects of performance enhancers.of performance enhancers.

Illegal performance enhancing Illegal performance enhancing drug use is a health problem as drug use is a health problem as athletes are using these drugs athletes are using these drugs and hiding their presence in their and hiding their presence in their blood and urine. They are blood and urine. They are misusing and over using drugs misusing and over using drugs and are seeing the consequences and are seeing the consequences of such an action.of such an action.

Athletes and sports entertainers Athletes and sports entertainers are suffering from severe anger, are suffering from severe anger, and mental anguish that can be and mental anguish that can be related to the use of these illegal related to the use of these illegal substances.substances.

Formal Hypothesis:Formal Hypothesis:– Illegal performance enhancing drugs Illegal performance enhancing drugs

have a negative effect on the mental have a negative effect on the mental state of athletes and sports entertainers state of athletes and sports entertainers

who use such substanceswho use such substances..

Population of InterestPopulation of Interest The population of interest for this research The population of interest for this research

problem is the population of athletes and sports problem is the population of athletes and sports entertainers including, but not limited to, entertainers including, but not limited to, professional level athletes (NBA. MLB, NHL etc.) professional level athletes (NBA. MLB, NHL etc.) as well as collegiate level athletes and sports as well as collegiate level athletes and sports entertainers such as professional wrestlers (WWE, entertainers such as professional wrestlers (WWE, TNA, etc). Compared to the general population, TNA, etc). Compared to the general population, this population is elite and primarily male.this population is elite and primarily male.

The sample will be selected via random sampling The sample will be selected via random sampling from volunteers who already use with a promise from volunteers who already use with a promise to keep identities anonymous to avoid to keep identities anonymous to avoid punishment by law. punishment by law.

VariablesVariables The independent variable of this research The independent variable of this research

problem is the use of performance problem is the use of performance enhancers.enhancers.– This is nominal data as either the athlete is This is nominal data as either the athlete is

using or they are notusing or they are not The dependent variable is the mental state The dependent variable is the mental state

of the users.of the users.– This is ordinal data as it is a self-assessment This is ordinal data as it is a self-assessment

based on a questionnaire with a scaled based on a questionnaire with a scaled response from 1-10 with definitions for 1, 5, response from 1-10 with definitions for 1, 5, and 10.and 10.

Confounding VariablesConfounding Variables Confounding VariablesConfounding Variables

– Pre-existing mental statePre-existing mental state– Hereditary conditionsHereditary conditions– Different athletic experiences/sportsDifferent athletic experiences/sports

The confounding variables will attempted to The confounding variables will attempted to be controlled for by means of screening and be controlled for by means of screening and interviewing both volunteers as well as interviewing both volunteers as well as friends and family about pre-existing friends and family about pre-existing conditions and by attempting to gain conditions and by attempting to gain access to limited medical records. Also, access to limited medical records. Also, comparisons will be made to athletes under comparisons will be made to athletes under going similar outside stress, and going similar outside stress, and experience.experience.

Intervention StrategyIntervention Strategy This problem requires a quantitative approach. The This problem requires a quantitative approach. The

intervention is interested in measurable data as athletes intervention is interested in measurable data as athletes are either using or they are not using.are either using or they are not using.

There will be two groups. One is an anonymous group of There will be two groups. One is an anonymous group of illegal performance enhancer drug users as well as an illegal performance enhancer drug users as well as an anonymous group of “clean” athletes and entertainers anonymous group of “clean” athletes and entertainers (from comparable or identical sports).(from comparable or identical sports).

Results from survey, discovery of medical treatment for Results from survey, discovery of medical treatment for mental conditions such as severe anger and/or depression, mental conditions such as severe anger and/or depression, will be compared to the non-using group as well as will be compared to the non-using group as well as information gathered about the athletes before suspected information gathered about the athletes before suspected drug use from families and athletes.drug use from families and athletes.

The ethical problems that arise with this intervention The ethical problems that arise with this intervention involve the legal ramifications of disclosing the use of drugs involve the legal ramifications of disclosing the use of drugs and performance enhancers. Users are hesitant to and performance enhancers. Users are hesitant to volunteer as the use is illegal and there are severe volunteer as the use is illegal and there are severe consequences.consequences.

ReferencesReferences

The man whose arms explodedThe man whose arms exploded [Television broadcast]. (2007, [Television broadcast]. (2007, November 23). SilverNovember 23). Silver     Spring, MD: The Learning      Spring, MD: The Learning Channel. Channel.