International Federation of Sports
Physical Therapy Guideline on Anti
Doping
Revised Version Oct 2022
Table of contents
Introduction
Origin- IFSPT- SPA Project- World Anti-Doping Code, WADC
Purpose
Scope
Article 1: Definitions
Article 2: Application
Article 3: Roles and Responsibilities
Article 4: Obligations and prohibitions
Article 5: Education
Article 6: Disciplinary Rules
Reference otherwise:https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/2022list_final_en.pdf

Introduction - Origin
IFSPTThe International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy (IFSPT) is a worldwide
organization, recognized as a subgroup of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy(WCPT), representing national organizations of Sports Physical Therapy. The efforts of
IFSPT are directed towards Member Organizations and their individual members inserving athletes of all ages and abilities through excellence in education, research,
practice, and clinical specialization.
The intention of the IFSPT is to be the international resource for Sports Physical
Therapists, to promote Sports Physical Therapy through the International Olympic
Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC), International Sports
Federations (IF’s) and other professional Organizations.

One of the main objectives of IFSPT is to improve the quality of Sports Physical Therapy
worldwide on the level of knowledge, skills, attitude, and professional responsibility.
Another objective is to utilize organizational structure and policy to promote international
harmonization in order to achieve the overall mission of the IFSPT.
In order to achieve these objectives, IFSPT encourages high standards of Sports Physical
Therapy by evaluating, developing and harmonizing guidelines, ethics and rules ofconduct specific to Sports Physical Therapy. In addition, IFSPT has developed a registerof Sports Physical Therapists that are recognized by IFSPT.
SPA Project
IFSPT was the promoter of the Sports Physical Therapy for All projects (SPA) in
2000-2006. The main goal of SPA was to establish core standards, benchmarks, andprocedures for the accreditation of educational and professional qualifications for Sports
Physical Therapists. This led to a common system of recognition of professional
qualifications for Sports Physical Therapists throughout the European Union and beyond,ensuring a common approach to prevention and treatment in sports at all levels and more
broadly in health-enhancing and leisure sectors.
One of the specific goals of the SPA project was to ensure a common approach todoping issues. At national and international levels, athletes of all ages and abilities needexpert support and guidance to maintain training and fitness at the required peak,without the use of prohibited substances and prohibited methods.
The International Sports Physical Therapy Code of Conduct on Doping was developed in2010 (revised in 2014) as part of the SPA project. IFSPT further developed the Code into
this guideline, revised in 2022.

World Anti-Doping CodeThe importance of anti-doping rules has been recognized at a global level, resulting in theWorld Anti-Doping Code (WADC). This is the second international document containing
anti-doping regulations that provides for the possibility of action against athlete support
personnel, including Sports Physical Therapists, violating anti-doping rules.
The WADC is the fundamental and universal document upon which the World
Anti-Doping Program in sport is based. The purpose of the WADC is to advance theanti-doping effort through universal harmonization of core anti-doping elements.
The WADC is intended to be specific enough to achieve complete harmonization on
issues where uniformity is required, yet general enough in other areas to permit flexibility
on how agreed-upon anti-doping principles are implemented. The Code has beendrafted giving consideration to the principles of proportionality and human rights.
The WADC stipulates regulations for the conduct of all athlete support personnel,
including Sports Physical Therapists who fall under the jurisdiction of sports federations.
This IFSPT guideline is based on the WADC in order to further regulate and educate
all Sports Physical Therapists.
In cases of conflict or unclear situations, the official English text of the WADC
https://www.wada
ama.org/en/resources/world-anti-doping-program/world-anti-doping-code#resource-download will be used to assist in the understanding and interpretation of the provisions in the
IFSPT guideline
More specifically its purpose is To protect the Athletes’ fundamental rights to participate in doping-free sport
and thus promote health, fairness and equality for athletes worldwide, and To ensure harmonized, coordinated and effective anti-doping programs at theinternational and national level with regard to the prevention of doping, including:o Education — to raise awareness, inform, communicate, to instill values,
develop life skills and decision-making capability to prevent intentional andunintentional anti doping rule violations.
o Deterrence — to divert potential dopers, through ensuring that robust
rules and sanctions are in place and salient for all stakeholders.
o Detection — an effective Testing and investigations system not only enhances
a deterrent effect, but also is effective in protecting clean Athletes and thespirit of sport by catching those committing anti-doping rule violations, while
also helping to disrupt anyone engaged in doping behavior.
o Enforcement — to adjudicate and sanction those found to have committed
an anti doping rule violation.
o Rule of law — to ensure that all relevant stakeholders have agreed to submit
to the Code and the International Standards, and that all measures taken inapplication of their anti-doping programs respect the Code, theInternational Standards, and the principles of proportionality and humanrights.

Purpose
The main purpose of this guideline is to educate and inform Sports Physical Therapists
on responsibilities and obligations regarding anti-doping and care for their athletes.
These rules are laid down to prevent problems that could arise for Sports Physical
Therapists due to involvement or negligence related to an anti-doping rule violation aspart of best practice. This is also in a bid to ensure high standards of professionalism andcode of ethics are implemented and to avert issues that may arise when they have an
understanding of the ethical code.
Another purpose is to make sure that all Sports Physical Therapists members of the IFSPT
are aware of whether conduct is allowed, or prohibited, while treating or accompanying
athletes. It should be an instrument in the education on anti-doping issues and should
facilitate consequences in case of non-compliance.
This guideline protects the image and credibility of Sports Physical Therapists and theprofession in general and it also gives a guidance to the Member Organizations to takedisciplinary measures in case of non-compliance of a particular Sports Physical
Therapist.
Scope
This guideline sets forth specific anti-doping rules and principles that are to be followedby all the IFSPT Member Organizations and their individual members. These Member
Organizations are responsible for adopting, implementing or enforcing these rules within
their authority. Each Member Organization shall establish procedures to ensure that all
Sports Physical Therapists under the authority of the Member Organization are educated,
informed of and agree to be bound by this guideline. Most definitions used in thisguideline are based on the WADC, while others are directly derived from the SPA project
document “Competencies of Sports Physical Therapists”.
By their participation in sport, athlete support personnel are bound by anti-doping rules
based on the WADC by virtue of their membership, accreditation, or participation in sports
organizations or events subject to the WADC. Each Member Organization, however, shalltake the necessary steps to ensure that all Sports Physical Therapists within its authority,
including those not working with elite athletes but for instance at a recreational level, arebound by this guideline.
The Member Organizations shall implement the guideline provisions through policies,
statutes, rules, regulations and education according to their authority and within therelevant spheres of responsibility. The Member Organizations are encouraged to use thisguideline to uphold certain competence requirements for the Sports Physical Therapists
regarding anti-doping. Other organizations representing Sports Physical Therapists that
may not be affiliated to IFSPT are encouraged to accept and implement this guideline.

This guideline applies to all Sports Physical Therapists, as members of the IFSPT, whether
working with athletes across the broad spectrum of participation from amateur to elitesports.
Article 1: Definitions
Anti-Doping Organization: WADA or a Signatory that is responsible for adopting rules
for initiating, implementing or enforcing any part of the Doping Control process. This
includes, for example, the International Olympic Committee, the International
Paralympic Committee, other Major Event Organizations that conduct Testing at their
Events, International Federations, and National Anti-Doping Organizations.
Anti-Doping rule violation: A violation of one or more anti-doping rules according to the
WADC
Athlete: Any Person who competes in sport at the international level (as defined by each
International Federation), or the national level (as defined by each National Anti-Doping
Organization). An Anti-Doping Organization has discretion to apply anti-doping rules to an
Athlete who is neither an International-Level Athlete nor a National-Level Athlete, and thus
to bring them within the definition of “Athlete.”
Athlete Support Personnel: Any coach, trainer, manager, agent, team staff, official,
medical, paramedical personnel, parent or any other person working with, treating or
assisting an athlete participating in or preparing for sports Competition.
Attempt: Purposely engaging in conduct that constitutes a substantial step in a course of
conduct planned to culminate in the commission of an anti-doping rule violation. Provided,
however, there shall be no anti-doping rule violation based solely on an attempt to commit
a violation if the person renounces the attempt prior to it being discovered by a third party
not involved in the attempt.
Code: The World Anti-Doping Code (WADC).
Competencies: Competencies are the knowledge, skills and attitudes obtained throughformal,not formal or informal learning which constitute the ability to perform
occupation-specific tasks and duties in an effective manner.
Contaminated Product: A product that contains a prohibited substance that is notdisclosed on the product label or in information available in a reasonable internet
search.
Doping: Doping is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the anti-doping ruleviolations set forth in Article 2.1 through Article 2.11 of the World Anti-Doping Code.
IFSPT: International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy.

IFSPT Stakeholders: Organizations involved in, or able to influence, the profession ofSports Physical Therapy, subscribing and committing to the IFSPT policies, andwilling to take responsibility actively to contribute to the implementation anddissemination of those policies. These organizations involve the WCPT and its
Member Organizations and subgroups, otherinternational medical health allied professional Organizations, national andinternational sports organizations, national and international sports related educational
institutes, National Olympic Committees, competent national regulation authorities
and relevant insurance companies.
Member Organization: Any organization affiliated to the IFSPT. National Sports Physical
Therapy organizations that are recognized by their national parent organizations, that are
a Member Organization(MO) of the WCPT, are eligible for membership in the IFSPT.
International-Level Athlete: Athletes who compete in sport at international level, as
defined by each International Federation, consistent with the International Standard for
Testing and Investigations (ISTI).
International Standard: A standard adopted by WADA in support of the Code. Compliancewith an International Standard (as opposed to another alternative standard, practice orprocedure) shall be sufficient to conclude that the procedures addressed by theInternational Standard were performed properly. International Standards shall include any
technical documents issued pursuant to the International Standard.
National Anti-Doping Organization: The entity(ies) designated by each country as
possessing the primary authority and responsibility to adopt and implement anti-doping
rules, direct the collection of samples, manage test results and conduct Results
Management at the national level. If designation has not been made by the competentpublic authority(ies), the entity shall be the country’s National Olympic Committee or its
designee.
National-Level Athlete: Athletes who compete in sport at the national level, as definedby each National Anti-Doping Organization, consistent with the International Standard
for Testing and Investigations.
Possession: The actual, physical possession, or the constructive possession (which shallbe found only if the person has exclusive control or intends to exercise control over theProhibited Substance or Prohibited Method or the premises in which a Prohibited
Substance or Prohibited Method exists).
Prohibited List: The list identifying the prohibited substances and prohibited
methods.

Prohibited Method: Any method so described on the WADA prohibited list.
Prohibited Substance: Any substance, or class of substances, so described on
the WADA prohibited list.
RISPT: Registered International Sports Physical Therapist - SPT list approved by
the IFSPT.
Sports Physical Therapist: A Sports Physical Therapist is a recognized professional, whodemonstrates advanced competencies in adapting rehabilitation and training interventions
for the purposes of enhancing sports performance, preventing injury, and restoring optimalfunction in athletes of all ages and abilities, while ensuring a high standard of professionaland ethical practice.
Strict Liability: The rule which provides that under WADC Article 2.1 and WADC Article 2.2,
it is not necessary that intent, Fault, Negligence, or knowing Use on the Athlete’s part bedemonstrated by the Anti-Doping Organization to establish an anti-doping rule violation.
Tampering: Intentional conduct which subverts the Doping Control process, but which
would not otherwise be included in the definition of Prohibited Methods. Tampering shall
include, without limitation, offering or accepting a bribe to perform or fail to perform anact, preventing the collection of a Sample, affecting or making impossible the analysis ofa Sample, falsifying documents submitted to an Anti-Doping Organization or TUE
committee or hearing panel, procuring false testimony from witnesses, committing anyother fraudulent act upon the Anti Doping Organization or hearing body to affect Results
Management or the imposition of Consequences, and any other similar intentional
interference or Attempted interference with any aspect of Doping Control.
Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE): A Therapeutic Use Exemption allows an Athlete witha medical condition to Use a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method, but only if theconditions set out in WADC Article 4.4 and the International Standard for Therapeutic
Use Exemptions are met.
Trafficking: Selling, giving, transporting, sending, delivering, or distributing (or possessing
for any such purpose) a prohibited substance or prohibited method (either physically or by
any electronic or other means) by an athlete, athlete support person or any other person
subject to the authority of an anti-doping organization to any third party; provided, however,this definition shall not include the actions of "bona fide" medical personnel involving aprohibited substance used for genuine and legal therapeutic purposes or other acceptablejustification, and shall not include actions involving prohibited substances which are notprohibited in out-of-competition testing unless the circumstances as a whole demonstratesuch prohibited substances are not intended for genuine and legal therapeutic purposes orare intended to enhance sport performance.

Use: The utilization, application, ingestion, injection or consumption by any means
whatsoever of any Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method.
WADA: The World Anti-Doping Agency.
WADC: World Anti-Doping CodeFor further definitions see WADC 2021, page 164: https://www.wada
ama.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/2021_wada_code.pdf
Article 2: Application
2.1. These rules are applicable to all Member Organizations, any other Sports Physical
Therapy organization that adopted this guideline, as well as to the individual members of
the respective organizations.
2.2. Member Organizations should, as a condition of their membership, adopt andimplement this guideline to ensure that their anti-doping policies conform to the guideline.
Member Organizations should declare that these rules are applicable to their individual
members.
Member Organizations shall require as a condition of membership that Sports Physical
Therapists submit themselves to this guideline and to the applicable disciplinary rules.
2.3. These rules do not replace or eliminate the anti-doping rules by which Sports Physical
Therapists are bound by virtue of their agreements for membership, accreditation, or
participation in sports Organizations or sports events subject to the rules of these
Organizations.
Article 3: Roles and Responsibilities
3.1. Sports Physical Therapists:
3.1.1. The role and responsibility of a Sports Physical Therapist is:a) To be knowledgeable of and comply with all anti-doping policies and rules adopted
pursuant to the WADC and which are applicable to them or the athletes whom they
support.
b) To cooperate with the athlete testing program.
c) To use their influence on Athlete values and behavior to foster anti-doping attitudes.
d) To disclose to their National Anti- Doping Organization and International
Federation any decision by a non-signatory finding that they committed ananti-doping rule violation within the previous ten (10) years.
e) To cooperate with Anti-Doping Organizations investigating anti-doping rule violationsf) Sports Physical Therapists or other athlete support personnel shall not use orpossess any prohibited substance or prohibited method without valid justification.
3.1.2. Athletes are subject to the rules of strict liability. Sports Physical Therapists shouldtake into account that a sanction on the athlete could not be eliminated based on no fault
or negligence if a personal Sports Physiotherapist without disclosure to the athlete
administrated a prohibited substance.
3.1.3. Sports Physical Therapists should know if an athlete is of substantial assistancein discovering or establishing anti-doping rule violations by athlete support personnel,
the period of ineligibility of the athlete may be eliminated or reduced.
3.1.4. Sports Physical Therapists should be conscious of the fact that administration ofprohibited substances and prohibited methods could constitute an anti-doping violation on
the athlete’s part, even if the athlete was unaware of what was being administrated,because athletes are subject to the rules of strict liability.
3.1.5. Sports Physical Therapists must know that nutritional supplements can becontaminated and the ingestion by an athlete could unintentionally lead to a positive
doping test result. Notwithstanding the strict liability of the athlete, the Sports Physical
Therapist has the responsibility to raise awareness of the fact that nutritional supplements
could be contaminated and that the use of supplements can put an athlete at risk. Sports
Physical Therapists should bear this in mind when discussing the athlete’s nutritional
needs with the athlete and other professionals around the athlete.
3.1.6. Trafficking, attempted trafficking, administration, attempted administration,
assistance, encouragement, aiding, abetting, covering up, or any other type ofcomplicity involving an attempted or actual adverse analytical finding (ADRV)
constitute an anti-doping rule violation.
3.1.7 Prohibited Association by an Athlete or Other Person subject to the authority of an
Anti Doping Organization in a professional sport-related capacity with any Athlete Support
Person who:
 If subject to the authority of an Anti-Doping Organization, is serving aperiod of Ineligibility; or if not subject to the authority of an Anti-Doping Organization, and where Ineligibility
has not been addressed in a Results Management process pursuant to the Code,has been convicted or found in a criminal, disciplinary or professional proceeding tohave engaged in conduct which would have constituted a violation of anti-dopingrules if Code-compliant rules had been applicable to such Person. The disqualifying
status of such Person shall be in force for the longer of six (6) years from thecriminal, professional or disciplinary decision or the duration of the criminal,
disciplinary or professional sanction imposed; or Is serving as a front or intermediary for an individual described in WADC Article
2.10.1.1 or 2.10.1.2.

3.2 IFSPT
3.2.1 IFSPT, their Member Organizations, have the responsibility to require all Sports
Physical Therapists within their jurisdiction to recognize and be bound by this guideline.
3.2.2. IFSPT has the responsibility to integrate this guideline in its core standard of
proficiency and according competencies.
3.2.3 With regard to the stakeholders, IFSPT is responsible for:a) Dissemination of the guideline among the stakeholder Organizations;b) Stimulating further dissemination of the guideline by thoseOrganizations among their relations and professional network;c) Providing the Organizations with further information on the guideline;d) Enhancing commitment to the guideline and to the IFSPT anti-doping
policy;e) Encouraging implementation of the guideline within the Organizations.
3.2.4. IFSPT has the responsibility to raise awareness of anti-doping policies within its
sphere of influence through education. The IFSPT is responsible for updates on theanti-doping policy and corresponding education material. This could include anassessment of the effectiveness of the guideline and the results of the educational
system.

3.3 Member Organizations
3.3.1. Member Organizations are responsible for adopting and implementing this guideline
and for ensuring that their anti-doping policies and rules comply with its applicableprovisions.
3.3.2 Member Organizations shall take appropriate action to discourage non compliancewith this guideline.

Article 4: Obligations and prohibitions
4.1. Notwithstanding the confidential nature of the physical therapist-athlete relationshipwhich will be recognized, the administration or attempted administration of a prohibited
substance or Prohibited Method by a Sports Physical Therapist to any athlete, or assisting,encouraging, aiding, abetting, conspiring, covering up or any other type of intentional
complicity or Attempted complicity involving an anti-doping rule violation, any attemptedanti-doping rule violation or violation of WADC Article 10.14.1 by another Person, is
prohibited.
4.2. Possession by an Athlete Support Person In Competition of any Prohibited
Substance or any Prohibited Method, or Possession by an Athlete Support Person
Out-of-Competition of any Prohibited Substance or any Prohibited Method which isprohibited Out-of-Competition in connection with an Athlete, Competition or training,
unless the Athlete Support Person establishes that the Possession is consistent with a
TUE granted to an Athlete in accordance with WADC Article 4.4 or other acceptablejustification.
4.3. Trafficking or attempted trafficking in any prohibited substance or Prohibited
Method by a Sports Physical Therapist is prohibited.
4.4. Tampering, or Attempted Tampering with any Part of Doping Control is prohibited
4.5 Acts by Sports Physical Therapist to Discourage or Retaliate Against Reporting toAuthorities is prohibited
4.6. Athletes have the right to be accompanied by a representative and/or interpreter
present throughout the doping control process. Potentially the representative can be
the Sports Physical Therapist. Any Athlete Support Personnel is obliged to cooperate
fully with the athlete testing program (IFSPT guidelines article 3.1.c).
The cooperation might include:a) Signing the doping control form.
b) Identifying the athlete to the doping control officer.
c) Accompanying an athlete for sample collection if requested by the athlete
and, if applicable, considered appropriate by the team manager.
4.7. Encouraging athletes in any way to refuse, or fail without compelling justification, to
submit to sample collection after notification or otherwise evading sample collection,
constitutes a violation of these rules.
4.8. If confronted while working with an athlete with his or her use of prohibited substances
without any medical indication and to enhance the athlete’s performance, it is the Sports
Physical Therapist duty to discourage the use of these substances.

Article 5: Education
5.1. All Member Organizations will take appropriate action to ensure that all Sports Physical
Therapists working with athletes of all ages and abilities at a national and international
level are educated and informed about the anti-doping rules, including this guideline.
5.2. Sports Physical Therapists should educate and counsel athletes regardinganti-doping policies and rules adopted pursuant to the WADC.
5.3. Sports Physical Therapists should provide athletes with updated and accurate
information at least on the following issues:- Principles and values associated with clean sport- Use of medications, the Prohibited List and Therapeutic Use Exemptions(TUE) - Risks of supplement use- The principle of Strict Liability- Anti-Doping Rule Violations- Consequences of doping- Testing procedures- Athletes’ rights and responsibilities- Speaking up to share concerns about doping
5.4. All Member Organizations and Sports Physical Therapists, shall cooperate witheach other and with other sports Organizations to coordinate their efforts in anti-doping
information and education.
5.5. IFSPT Member Organizations in cooperation with IFSPT shall develop an educational
system, consisting of courses and educational material, with updated information on
anti-doping policies, to enable Sports Physical Therapists to comply with the requiredcompetencies on doping issues and regulations as set forth by IFSPT. It is in our
knowledge that WADA has made provision for medical personnel including Sports physicaltherapists to participate in periodic online courses which can be found in their official
website.

Article 6: Disciplinary Rules
6.1. Member Organizations:6.1.1. All Member Organizations are required to ensure a disciplinary system is in place todetermine whether violation of, or noncompliance with these rules has occurred and to
impose proper sanctions. This system should contain basic principles, such as the right toappeal and the right to respond relative to ensuring a fair hearing for Sports Physical
Therapists asserted to have violated these rules.
6.1.2. The system referred to in the previous section may be part of existing
disciplinary mechanisms at a national level regarding Sports Physical Therapists, forinstance to discipline violations of ethical codes or codes of conduct.
6.1.3. All Member Organizations should incorporate this guideline into their disciplinary
system to ensure proper sanctioning according to their own disciplinary rules.
6.1.4. Besides the imposition of disciplinary measures according to the applicable systemreferred to in 6.1.1., sanctions may involve a warning, a reprimand, imposition of acertain period of ineligibility, as well as ineligibility for credentials, membership and othersport benefits.

6.2. IFSPT:
6.2.1. In addition to any sanction imposed by a Member Organization, violation of, or
non-compliance with these rules can, upon the decision of the IFSPT executive board,lead to immediate revocation of the the RISPT or the denial of (re-)registration.
6.2.2. Revocation or denial of (re)registration will be imposed for a limited period up to aperiod for life according the duration of his/her sanction.
6.3. Other Organizations:6.3.1. Violations of the guideline, also violating the rules of sports organizations, aresubject to the rules adopted by these organizations. Therefore, the imposition of
sanctions according to the guideline does not alter the fact that Sports Physical
Therapists may also be sanctioned by the competent body of a sports organization whose
regulations they are bound to comply with.
6.3.2. Violations of these rules, which also violate non-sporting laws and regulations,will be reported to the competent administrative, professional, or judicial authorities.
6.4. Burden of Proof:
6.4.1. The Member Organization shall have the burden to establish that violation of, or
non-compliance with these rules has occurred.
6.4.2. Facts related to anti-doping rule violations may be established through the
National or International Sports Organization.
Revised on July 2022
Annemarie Haahr Kristensen, Senior Education Manager, Anti Doping Denmark Bente A S
Andersen, MSc, IFSPT Reg. Spec. Sports PT, Danish Association of Sports Physical
Therapy Denmark (DSSF)
Revised on behalf of the IFSPT EB by Carlo Ramponi and Ummukulthoum Bakere on Oct
2022