The Impact of Doping on Cognitive Abilities and Emotional Regulation in Elite Athletes - A Neurocognitive Perspective

The work analyzes the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying athletic performance, with emphasis on the impact of doping-particularly anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS)-on cognitive abilities and emotional regulation in elite athletes. It clarifies the conceptual distinction between abilities and skills, referencing Fleishman’s classification and highlighting cognitive domains such as spatial orientation, attention, and memory. Key perceptual-cognitive abilities essential to high-level sports are discussed in relation to anticipation, reaction speed, and decision-making efficiency. Evidence from behavioral and neuroimaging studies indicates that prolonged AAS use leads to impairments in visuospatial memory, executive functioning, and attentional control, likely resulting from neurobiological alterations in prefrontal-limbic networks. Emotional regulation emerges as another crucial determinant of performance, with cognitive appraisal and reappraisal playing central roles in modulating affective responses under competitive pressure. By integrating cognitive, neurobiological, and emotional dimensions, the article contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of how performance-enhancing substances disrupt the neural and psychological mechanisms that support optimal athletic function and self-regulation.