Could This New Method Change Anti-Doping Testing Forever?
A study from Spain could reshape how doping is detected in sports. Researchers have validated a simpler testing procedure that could make anti-doping controls more accessible, with international authorities now considering its potential.
Anti-doping testing could be approaching a significant change after researchers at the Catalonia Anti-Doping Laboratory, part of the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, validated an alternative blood collection method.
The study found that capillary blood samples can be just as effective as traditional venous blood samples for measuring key parameters used in athletes' biological passports.
Published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the research compared both types of samples collected from more than 200 athletes across approximately 12 sports disciplines.
Spain's anti-doping authority, CELAD, collected the samples between March and June 2025.
How does the new anti-doping method work?
The main differences involve the amount of blood required and how easily samples can be collected.
Traditional venous blood collection requires 2 to 2.5 milliliters of blood and a trained healthcare professional.
The capillary method, by comparison, requires only 300 to 500 microliters, collected from the arm through a procedure that someone with minimal training can perform.
Rosa Ventura, director of the Catalonia Anti-Doping Laboratory, explained that the findings showed strong agreement between the key biological passport measurements obtained through the two methods.
What types of doping could it help detect?
The procedure could make it easier to monitor athletes' hematological passports, which are used to identify potential signs of blood doping.
These include:
- Blood transfusions.
- Recombinant erythropoietin (EPO).
- Drugs associated with hypoxia.
The simpler collection process could also make testing possible in situations where obtaining blood samples is currently difficult.
Núria Monfort, the laboratory's technical manager, explained that the method could substantially simplify sample collection and increase the number of anti-doping controls.
She also noted that broader testing could strengthen both doping detection and deterrence.
What did athletes think of the new procedure?
The study also examined athletes' experiences with the collection method.
- 90% reported feeling no pain.
- 81% highlighted how easy the procedure was.
- 97% of samples provided enough blood on the first attempt.
These results suggest the method could offer practical advantages alongside its analytical performance.
Will WADA introduce this testing method worldwide?
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is currently evaluating whether these blood collection systems could be introduced into global anti-doping practices.
The research has validated the method's potential, but international implementation has not yet been confirmed.
Three reasons this method could reshape anti-doping testing
- Smaller samples, simpler collection: Capillary testing requires significantly less blood than traditional venous testing.
- More opportunities to test athletes: Easier collection could expand testing in locations and circumstances where it is currently difficult.
- A possible international change: WADA is evaluating whether the procedure could become part of global anti-doping practices.
