BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:Inaugural lecture prof.dr. W. de Ronde METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260313T154500 DTEND:20260313T171500 DTSTAMP:20260313T154500 UID:inaugural-lecture-prof-dr-w-de@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260924T152343 LOCATION:Main building VU, 1105, Aula, De Boelelaan, 1081 HV, Amsterdam SUMMARY:Inaugural lecture prof.dr. W. de Ronde X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Doping in de sportsc hool; van moralisme naar pragmatisme

Doping in the gym: t ime for a new approach

Doping use is no longer limited to elit e athletes: young male amateur athletes, in particular, use anabolic steroids to achieve an increasingly muscular ideal, strongly influenc ed by social media and fitness culture. These substances demonstrably increase muscle mass and strength, but also pose health risks, such as heart problems, hormonal damage, and reduced fertility. This is wh at Professor of Doping and Health Pim de Ronde stated in his inaugura l lecture.

At the same time, reliable information is lacking, a nd many healthcare providers are insufficiently equipped to recognize or treat harm, partly due to stigma and a traditional zero-tolerance policy. Research shows that a harm-reduction approach, with honest i nformation and risk mitigation, does not encourage use but can actual ly reduce it. Instead of simply prohibiting and condemning, a pragmat ic, scientifically based approach is needed that acknowledges the rea lity: doping does happen. More knowledge, openness, and guidance can limit health risks.

DESCRIPTION: Doping in de sportschool; van moralisme naar pragmatisme

Doping in the gym: time for a new approach

Doping use is no l onger limited to elite athletes: young male amateur athletes, in part icular, use anabolic steroids to achieve an increasingly muscular ide al, strongly influenced by social media and fitness culture. These su bstances demonstrably increase muscle mass and strength, but also pos e health risks, such as heart problems, hormonal damage, and reduced fertility. This is what Professor of Doping and Health Pim de Ronde s tated in his inaugural lecture.At the same time, reliable information is lacking, and many healthcare providers are insufficiently equippe d to recognize or treat harm, partly due to stigma and a traditional zero-tolerance policy. Research shows that a harm-reduction approach, with honest information and risk mitigation, does not encourage use but can actually reduce it. Instead of simply prohibiting and condemn ing, a pragmatic, scientifically based approach is needed that acknow ledges the reality: doping does happen. More knowledge, openness, and guidance can limit health risks. END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR