European Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 2015, Vol.(7), Is. 1 4 Copyright © 2015 by Academic Publishing House Researcher Published in the Russian Federation European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Has been issued since 2013. ISSN: 2310-0133 Vol. 7, Is. 1, pp. 4-8, 2015 DOI: 10.13187/ejpe.2015.7.4 www.ejournal7.com Articles and Statements UDC 796 Psycho-social Determinants in the Utilization Of Doping Substances by Athletes in Nigeria 1 Isaac Olusola Akindutire 2 Johnson Adetunji Olanipekun 1-2 Ekiti State University, Nigeria Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education Corresponding Author, Professor Isaac Olusola Akindutire E-mail: ioakindutire@gmail.com Abstract The use of doping as a substance or method is potentially harmful to the health of the athletes and also gives them an unfair competitive edge. It represents an anathema, which poses great threat to the development of sports ideals in the modern day sports competitions. It is illegal and unethical to the sanctity of sports. It also has both short and long term side-effects on the athletes. This paper examined the psycho-social factors that may facilitate the utilization of doping substances either on a continuous or intermittent basis by athletes in Nigeria. A sample of 360 elite athletes in nine states of Nigeria was selected using purposive, simple and stratified random sampling techniques. A- 21- item self-developed questionnaire was used to gather relevant information for the study. Frequency counts, percentages and chi-square were used to analyze the data collected. Findings revealed that the prominent psychological and sociological determinants in the utilization of doping substances by athletes included the desire for excellent performance and gaining monetary or material rewards. It was therefore, recommended that athletes should be given social-network support, and be properly oriented towards adjustment to the various psycho- social conditions that may prompt them to the use of doping substances. Keywords: Psycho-social; Athletes; Psychological determinants; Sociological determinants; Doping substances; Utilization. Introduction The extensive use of physical performance-enhancing substances by athletes could be traced back to the Greek physician, Galen (Klaff & Daniel, 1981). Periodic reports describing the use by athletes of caffeine, alcohol, anabolic steroids, amphetamines and narcotics reflected the dearth of evidence for the utilization of doping substances for sports contests world wide (IOC Medical Commission, 1999). Doping as an artificial enhancement of athletes’ performance could be in form of the use of performance-enhancing drugs (pharmacological), blood doping (physiological), ergogenic substances and the use of substances designed to conceal the presence of other prohibited