Doping in Teams: A Simple Decision Theoretic Model

Abstract

Background. There are many examinations of doping in individual sports but less so in team sports.

Methods. A simple decision theoretic model is constructed and analysed for the doping incentives and decisions of team member in professional sports.

Results. Depending on the detection probability and the punishment of dopers, team sports members do not dope at all, at a medium or at the maximal level. The whole team has a higher incentive than an individual team member that at least some of its members dope. Conclusion. The doping incentives are different in team sports compared to individual sports. That there are less proven cases of doping in team sports could be because doping is less effective or because the incentives to cover it are higher than in individual sports.

Keywords: decision, doping, incentive, sport, team.