The use of medicines by Russian boxers: a cross-sectional analysis

Boxing, as a sport with high loads and risk of injury, is one of the disciplines with an increased risk of using substances prohibited in sports. The need to evaluate real-world pharmacological support practices and their compliance with the principles of evidence-based medicine is an important scientific and practical task.

Purpose. To investigate the structure and frequency of consumption of permitted drugs among Russian boxers based on data from doping control protocols and to assess the compliance of the identified practices with modern scientific evidence.

Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of 182 anonymized doping control protocols of Russian boxers for 2024 was conducted. The data from the section «Statement on medicines/food additives» of the doping control protocols were analyzed. Statistical processing included a descriptive analysis with an assessment of demographic indicators and the frequency of use of individual funds by gender and age.

Results. 84% of athletes (153 out of 182) reported using medications. The average number of medicines claimed by athletes was 1.71 items per person. There were no statistically significant gender differences in the number of claimed drugs (p>0.05, Mann – Whitney test). The largest average number of medicines was recorded in the age group of 17–18 years (2.04). The most popular categories were vitamin and mineral complexes (Supradin) and magnesium preparations (Magnesium Plus) and metabolic drugs («Riboxin» and «Hypoxene»). The frequency of their use varied in different age groups.

Conclusion. The study revealed a wide prevalence of pharmacological support among boxers. However, the analysis of literature data demonstrates that the use of many popular drugs (for example, Riboxin and Hypoxene) there is no convincing evidence of efficacy in randomized controlled trials.

1. Turner O, Chessor R., Mitchell N. Fuelling gold medals: developing a ‘periodised nutrition system’ for elite athletes and applying it in practice. Perform. Nutr. 2025; 1, 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s44410-025-00001-x

2. Mazzeo F, Santamaria S, Monda V, Tafuri D, Dalia C, Varriale L, De Blasio S, Esposito V, Messina G, Monda M. Dietary supplements use in competitive and non-competitive boxer: An exploratory study. Biology and Medicine. 2016; 8 (4): 1. https://doi.org/10.4172/0974-8369.1000294

3. Calzetta L, Pistocchini E, Manzetti GM, Gholamalishahi S, Cammarata M, Muscoli S, Ora J, Rogliani P. Effects of Inhaled β2-AR Agonists in Athletes According to the WADA 2025 List: New Insights From a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2026 Jan; 36 (1): e70197. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.70197

4. Voinea A, Iacobini A, Dominteanu T. Paris 2024 Olympics: A review of innovation, performance and challenges. Journal of Sports Media Studies. 2024; XVI (2): 153–163. https://doi.org/10.24818/mrt.24.16.02.06

5. Schoeman N. Doping in sport: an overview. SA Pharmaceutical Journal. 2023 Sep 1; 90 (4): 33–7. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-mp_sapj_v90_n4_a8

6. Damjanovic S, Rossi C, Manolopoulos N, Matijevic T, Korpak D, Kurtanovic A, Murtin V, Stanojevic M, Giustino V, Roklicer R, Bianco A, Drid P. Doping in combat sports: a systematic review. Phys Sportsmed. 2025 Apr; 53 (2): 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913847.2025.2449812

7. Matthews CR, Jordan M. Drugs and supplements in amateur boxing: pugilistic amateurism and ideologies of performance. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. 2020 Oct 19; 12 (5): 631–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1664623

8. Mandu WA, Kiplamai F, Mwisukha A, Waiganjo L. Assesment of Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances and Methods Among Wrestlers, Boxers, and Bodybuilders in Kenya. J. Adv. Sport Phys Edu. 2023; 6 (4): 53–61. https://doi.org/10.36348/jaspe.2023.v06i04.003

9. Broniecka A, Sarachman A, Zagrodna A, Książek A. Dietary supplement use and knowledge among athletes: prevalence, compliance with AIS classification, and awareness of certification programs. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2025 Dec; 22 (1): 2496450. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2025.2496450

10. Lynøe N, Juth N, Eriksson A. The disservice of publishing preliminary results based on a premature hypothesis – Semmelweis’ ordeal revisited. Med Health Care Philos. 2025 Jun; 28 (2): 261–273. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-025-10257-8

11. Prabowo TA, Tomoliyus AH, Irianto DP, Sukamti ER, Danardono AH. Use of Athlete Supplements: A Case Study of Amateur Boxing Athletes in Indonesia. Journal of Hunan University Natural Science. 2022; 49 (9). https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674–2974.49.9.17

12. Huang SH, Johnson K, Pipe AL. The use of dietary supplements and medications by Canadian athletes at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games. Clin. J. Sport Med. 2006 Jan; 16 (1): 27–33. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.jsm.0000194766.35443.9c

13. Prabowo TA, Wibowo MSR, Yulianto WD. Survey of Supplement Use and Effects Felt by Amateur Boxers. Indonesian Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science. 2023; 3 (1): 89–95. https://doi.org/10.52188/ijpess.v3i1.396

14. Wang W, Wazny VK, Mahadzir MDA, Maier AB. Multivitamin and mineral use: A rapid review of meta-analyses on health outcomes. Ageing Res Rev. 2026 Jan; 114: 102965. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2025.102965

15. Singh A, Moses FM, Deuster PA. Chronic multivitamin-mineral supplementation does not enhance physical performance. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 1992 Jun; 24 (6): 726–32. PMID: 1602947.

16. Weight LM, Myburgh KH, Noakes TD. Vitamin and mineral supplementation: effect on the running performance of trained athletes. Am.J. Clin. Nutr. 1988 Feb; 47 (2): 192–5. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/47.2.192

17. Jolliffe DA, Camargo CA Jr, Sluyter JD, Aglipay M, Aloia JF, Bergman P, Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Borzutzky A, Bubes VY, Damsgaard CT, Ducharme FM, Dubnov-Raz G, Esposito S, Ganmaa D, Gilham C, Ginde AA, Golan-Tripto I, Goodall EC, Grant CC, Griffiths CJ, Hibbs AM, Janssens W, Khadilkar AV, Laaksi I, Lee MT, Loeb M, Maguire JL, Majak P, Manaseki-Holland S, Manson JE, Mauger DT, Murdoch DR, Nakashima A, Neale RE, Pham H, Rake C, Rees JR, Rosendahl J, Scragg R, Shah D, Shimizu Y, Simpson-Yap S, Kumar GT, Urashima M, Martineau AR. Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of stratified aggregate data. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2025 Apr; 13 (4): 307–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-8587(24)00348-6

18. Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C reduces the severity of common colds: a meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2023 Dec 11; 23 (1): 2468. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17229-8

19. Lithgow H, Johnston L, Ho F, Dunning E, Nakada S, Celis-Morales C, Hunter AM, Lees JS, Mark PB, Quinn TJ, Gray SR. The effects of vitamin K2 on recovery from muscle damaging resistance exercise in young and older adults–The TAKEOVER randomised controlled trial. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 2025, 11. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003901

20. Mason SA, Trewin AJ, Parker L, Wadley GD. Antioxidant supplements and endurance exercise: Current evidence and mechanistic insights. Redox Biol. 2020 Aug; 35: 101471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2020.101471

21. Paulsen G, Cumming KT, Holden G, Hallén J, Rønnestad BR, Sveen O, Skaug A, Paur I, Bastani NE, Østgaard HN, Buer C, Midttun M, Freuchen F, Wiig H, Ulseth ET, Garthe I, Blomhoff R, Benestad HB, Raastad T. Vitamin C and E supplementation hampers cellular adaptation to endurance training in humans: a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial. J. Physiol. 2014 Apr 15; 592 (8): 1887–901. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2013.267419

22. de Oliveira DCX, Rosa FT, Simões-Ambrósio L, Jordao AA, Deminice R. Antioxidant vitamin supplementation prevents oxidative stress but does not enhance performance in young football athletes. Nutrition. 2019 Jul-Aug; 63–64: 29–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2019.01.007

23. Dadalt EK, Stefani GP. Effects of antioxidant vitamin supplementation on sports performance, endurance and strength performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sport Sciences for Health. 2024; 20 (3): 739–756. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-024-01205-9

24. Beck KL, von Hurst PR, O’Brien WJ, Badenhorst CE. Micronutrients and athletic performance: A review. Food Chem Toxicol. 2021 Dec; 158: 112618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2021.112618

25. Wang R, Chen C, Liu W, Zhou T, Xun P, He K, Chen P. The effect of magnesium supplementation on muscle fitness: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Magnes Res. 2017 Nov 1; 30 (4): 120–132. https://doi.org/10.1684/mrh.2018.0430

26. Tarsitano MG, Quinzi F, Folino K, Greco F, Oranges FP, Cerulli C, Emerenziani GP. Effects of magnesium supplementation on muscle soreness in different type of physical activities: a systematic review. J. Transl Med. 2024 Jul 5; 22 (1): 629. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-024-05434-x

27. Fernández-Lázaro D, Fernandez-Lazaro CI, Mielgo-Ayuso J, Navascués LJ, Córdova Martínez A, Seco-Calvo J. The Role of Selenium Mineral Trace Element in Exercise: Antioxidant Defense System, Muscle Performance, Hormone Response, and Athletic Performance. A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2020 Jun 16; 12 (6): 1790. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061790

28. Heffernan SM, Horner K, De Vito G, Conway GE. The Role of Mineral and Trace Element Supplementation in Exercise and Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2019 Mar 24; 11 (3): 696. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11030696

29. Li F, Zhang J, Kang J, Tong X, Zhang P, Zhu Y. Inosine: biofunctions and the roles in human diseases. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2025 Oct 15; 16: 1634814. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2025.1634814

30. Kim IS, Jo EK. Inosine: A bioactive metabolite with multimodal actions in human diseases. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Nov 16; 13: 1043970. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1043970

31. Jeyaraj FT, Voruganti VS. Multifaceted role of inosine in complex diseases and human health. Nutr Rev. 2025 Feb 1; 83 (2): e506–e517. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuae029

32. Păunescu C, Serboiu CS, Pricop A, Liliana Mircică M, Caramoci A. The use of nutrition supplements in combat sport: a systematic review. Farmacia. 2025; 73 (2). https://doi.org/10.31925/farmacia.2025.2.4

33. Păunescu C, Piţigoi G, Cosma G, Piţuru SM, Grigore V, Petrescu S, Petrescu OC. Increasing endurance in physical effort by administration of inosine. Farmacia. 2021; 69 (1): 148–154. https://doi.org/10.31925/farmacia.2021.1.20

34. Williams MH, Kreider RB, Hunter DW, Somma CT, Shall LM, Woodhouse ML, Rokitski L. Effect of inosine supplementation on 3-mile treadmill run performance and VO2 peak. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 1990 Aug; 22 (4): 517–22. PMID: 2402214.

35. Starling RD, Trappe TA, Short KR, Sheffield-Moore M, Jozsi AC, Fink WJ, Costill DL. Effect of inosine supplementation on aerobic and anaerobic cycling performance. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 1996 Sep; 28 (9): 1193–8. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-199609000-00017

36. McNaughton L, Dalton B, Tarr J. Inosine supplementation has no effect on aerobic or anaerobic cycling performance. Int J. Sport Nutr. 1999 Dec; 9 (4): 333–44. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsn.9.4.333

37. Kerksick CM, Wilborn CD, Roberts MD, Smith-Ryan A, Kleiner SM, Jäger R, Collins R, Cooke M, Davis JN, Galvan E, Greenwood M, Lowery LM, Wildman R, Antonio J, Kreider RB. ISSN exercise & sports nutrition review update: research & recommendations. J. Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018 Aug 1; 15 (1): 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0242-y

38. Kreider RB, Almada AL, Antonio J, Broeder C, Earnest C, Greenwood M, Ziegenfuss TN. ISSN exercise & sport nutrition review: research & recommendations. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2004; 1 (1): 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-1-1-1

39. Kreider RB, Wilborn CD, Taylor L, Campbell B, Almada AL, Collins R, Antonio J. ISSN exercise & sport nutrition review: research & recommendations. Journal of the international society of sports nutrition, 2010; 7 (1): 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-7-7

40. Jędrejko K, Catlin O, Faiss R, Pokrywka A. A Review of Hypoxen Pharmacology and Potential to Enhance Sports Performance. Drug Test Anal. 2025 Oct; 17 (10): 1896–1911. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3887