'Lazy people should take drugs to get fit,' says endurance expert
Professor of sport science says that the idea of using 'psycho-active' drugs shouldn't be immediately dismissed "on the basis of unrelated ethical considerations about doping in sport"

People who cannot stick to training plans to get fit should consider doping, says an endurance expert.
Professor Samuele Marcora, from the University of Kent, admits the idea is “controversial and drastic”, but points out that drugs are used to help people quit smoking or to treat obesity with no ethical problems.
Using “psycho-active drugs” to overcome the barriers to exercise and fitness could be the way forward, argues Prof Marcora, Director of Research at the University of Kent’s School of Sport and Exercise Science, because it’s the perception of effort that stops sedentary people taking regular exercise.
“Compared to watching television (zero effort), even moderate-intensity physical activities like walking require considerable effort,” says the prof. “Reducing the perception of effort during exercise using caffeine or other psychoactive drugs could help many people stick to their fitness plans,” he adds.
Watch: What are training zones?
The professor even goes as far as naming suitable drugs. Methylphenidate and modafinil could do the trick, he says.
Methylphenidate stimulates the central nervous system and is often used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Modafinil promotes alertness and wakefulness and is often used to treat excessive sleepiness seen in people with narcolepsy or sleep disorders associated with shift work.
Prof Marcora says that physical inactivity is a major threat to public health and he says that treatment of it using drugs should “be considered fairly and seriously rather than immediately rejected on the basis of unrelated ethical considerations about doping in sport.”
The University of Kent has an excellent reputation in sports science and has been frequently associated with respected academic papers.
Prof Marcora’s work, Can Doping be a Good Thing? Using Psychoactive Drugs to Facilitate Physical Activity Behaviour, which appears in the journal Sports Medicine, is likely to promote a vigorous debate.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
Geraint Thomas 'helps a brother out', aiding Mark Cavendish's valedictory Giro d'Italia stage win
Cavendish now has one final Giro stage win. Will he get one final Tour de France equivalent in July?
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Charlotte Kool wins final stage of RideLondon-Classique to seal overall victory
Kool edges out Dyget and Van der Duin in bunch sprint
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
"Failing that drug test was the best thing that had ever happened to me"
Abuse victim and disgraced cycling champion Geneviève Jeanson finds solace in return to bike racing
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
29 cases of alleged doping recorded in cycling in 2022, but only one at WorldTour
Most came from semi-professional ranks, MPCC finds
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Spanish police crack down on doping ring, former Kelme coach questioned
Miguel Ángel López denies any involvement in statement
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
UCI suspends continental team's licence due to doping investigation
W52-FC Porto cannot compete in any races after an investigation conducted by the Anti-Doping Authority of Portugal
By Ryan Dabbs • Last updated
-
Trial begins into French doctor and two others accused of attempting to dope cyclists
Bernand Sainz has been involved in cycling circles for the best part of six decades
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Johan Bruyneel: 'Lance Armstrong was the perfect target to be sacrificed' to clean up cycling
The former rider and team boss says in his era the choice was 'either you adapt and you dope yourself, or you disappear'
By Jonny Long • Published
-
British Paralympic hopeful cyclist banned for three years for doping offence
Erin McBride, who joined the British Cycling team after switching from athletics this year, tested positive for a banned substance
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Two Italian cyclists banned following doping violations
One was an amateur time trial champion
By Jonny Long • Published