Anti-Doping Guide for Armwrestlers (2025)

(based on the “WADA Prohibited List” – www.wada-ama.org)

Armwrestling is a sport of strength, endurance, and technique. Increasingly, federations around the world — including the Polish Armwrestling Federation (PFA) and the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF) — are applying the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The goal of anti-doping control is not to punish athletes, but to protect health, fair competition, and the image of the sport.

🚫 Prohibited Substances – WADA Categories

All substances are divided into:

• Prohibited at all times (In & Out of Competition)
• Prohibited In-Competition only

Code	Category	Examples of substances	Why they are prohibited in armwrestling
S0	Non-approved substances	“designer drugs”, experimental agents	Unknown side effects, health risk
S1	Anabolic agents (AAS)	testosterone, stanozolol, trenbolone	Increase muscle mass and strength
S2	Peptide hormones and growth factors	hGH, EPO, IGF-1	Accelerate recovery and muscle development
S3	Beta-2 agonists	salbutamol, clenbuterol	Facilitate breathing and improve conditioning
S4	Hormone and metabolic modulators	tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors	Stabilize testosterone levels after steroid cycles
S5	Diuretics and masking agents	furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide	Mask the presence of other agents or lower weight
S6	Stimulants	amphetamine, ephedrine, cocaine	Increase aggression, focus, and reflexes
S7	Narcotics	morphine, tramadol, fentanyl	Mask pain and affect perception
S8	Cannabinoids	THC, synthetic cannabinoids	Prohibited in competition – affect concentration
S9	Glucocorticoids	prednisone, dexamethasone	Mask pain, reduce inflammation

🧬 Prohibited Methods

Not only substances are prohibited. WADA also distinguishes doping methods, which include:

• Manipulation of blood or blood components – e.g., transfusions, EPO.
• Chemical or physical manipulation of samples – urine dilution, use of “clean urine”.
• Intravenous infusions of more than 100 ml/12 h without medical indications.

⚖️ Permitted and exceptional cases (TUE)

An athlete may apply for a TUE – Therapeutic Use Exemption if they must take a prohibited substance for health reasons (e.g., asthma, diabetes).

Example:
An athlete with asthma may use an inhaler containing salbutamol, but only in specific doses and after reporting it to the anti-doping commission.

⚠️ What to watch out for specifically

1. Dietary supplements – often contain hidden steroids or stimulants (e.g., DMBA, DMAA).
   ➜ Use only products with the Informed Sport or NSF Certified for Sport certificate.
2. Over-the-counter medications – e.g., cough syrups, cold tablets may contain pseudoephedrine.
3. Diuretics – “weight cutting” agents are prohibited and often cause dehydration.
4. “Testosterone boosters” – many of them contain substances prohibited in category S1 or S4.

🧠 Athlete Education

Every armwrestling athlete should:

• Know the current list of prohibited substances (wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list);
• Consult every medication or supplement with a coach or sports doctor;
• Keep copies of prescriptions, invoices, and TUE documents.

💉 Consequences of anti-doping rule violations

Type of violation	Potential penalty
Positive test result	Disqualification (2–4 years)
Refusal of test	Equals a positive result
Use of substance without approval (TUE)	Disqualification
Assisting others in doping	Suspension or lifetime disqualification

🏁 How to maintain clean sport?

✅ Check every medication and supplement.
✅ Do not take anything you do not understand.
✅ Be a role model for younger athletes.
✅ Respect your rivals and your own health.

📜 Summary

Armwrestling is developing dynamically and striving for professionalization. To maintain the trust of fans, sponsors, and other athletes, anti-doping awareness is necessary.
Every athlete is responsible for what is found in their body — even if they unknowingly took a prohibited substance.

📎 Source:
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), The 2025 Prohibited List – https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list