Actitudes frente al consumo de estimulantes y riesgos neurológicos y cardiovasculares en deportistas de alto rendimiento

The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes toward stimulant by high-performance athletes at the Technical University of Machala regarding the neurological and cardiovascular risks associated with stimulant use. A quantitative, mixed-method, cross-sectional research design was employed. The study population consisted of fifty athletes from the Technical University of Machala (UTM), and three research instruments were used: the Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). The results demonstrated that both men and women predominantly reject doping and the use of stimulant substances, despite operating in an environment characterized by high physical and competitive demands—particularly in strength sports that require heightened concentration. Furthermore, the findings revealed a close link between emotional anxiety and physical symptoms among the evaluated athletes—specifically autonomic hyperarousal, frequent vascular irregularities, or muscle tension—driven by factors such as high competition-related stress or stimulant use during daily training routines. Based on these results, it is concluded that it is essential to promote and implement comprehensive sports nursing programs focused on education, doping prevention, vascular monitoring, and specialist support (such as psychologists) to enhance the athletes' health and performance.