Perceptions of Doping from Wrestlers of the Turkish National Team Using the Metaphor Method

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to identify the perception of previous and current wrestlers of the Turkish National Wrestling Team about the concept of “doping.” The general aim of the present study is to determine the Turkish wrestlers' views about the concept of “doping” through metaphors. In 2013, 108 wrestlers were randomly selected from active and previously active wrestlers on the Turkish National Wrestling Team, to participate in this study. The metaphors produced by the participants related to the “doping” concept were examined by the content analysis method, the frequency of each metaphor was identified and the categories were formed. In this context, the analysis and interpretation of the metaphors were achieved by the following four steps: (a) identification of the metaphors, (b) classification of the metaphors, (c) formation of the metaphors, (d) reliability and validity analyses. In the study, the wrestlers produced 106 metaphors related to the concept of “doping.” Based on their perceptions of doping, “avoidance,” “awareness,” “acceptance,” “exclusion,” “weakness,” and “ambition” categories were formed. Results have shown that the wrestlers perceive the concept of “doping” as something to be avoided; they are aware of its positive and negative consequences; they think that its use can be acceptable; they think that they would be excluded if they dope; they perceive using doping as a weakness and being inefficient; and they see ambition as passion.

Key Words::

• doping
• metaphor
• perception.