We aimed to analyze the number and distribution of doping control tests in which a banned substance was reported (i.e., adverse analytical finding) in aquatics. The analysis was performed by using the data provided by the WADA Testing Figure Reports from 2015 to 2019. A total of 79,956 doping control tests were analyzed. Sprint swimming, middle-distance swimming and water polo were the disciplines with the highest number of doping control tests. However, there were no differences in the frequency of adverse findings among disciplines (overall, ∼0.56%, from 0.13 in artistic swimming to 0.76% in sprint swimming). Sprinters and long-distance swimmers presented a higher frequency of beta-2-agonists than the remaining aquatic disciplines (p < 0.05). These results indicate that the type of prohibited substances employed is strongly influenced by the intrinsic characteristics of each aquatic discipline.
Keywords: doping; elite athlete; elite swimmer; sports performance; team sport.