A new Kent research study investigating the potentially dangerous effects that the painkillers tapentadol and dihydrocodeine could have on cyclists has featured on BBC South East News today (2 May).
Professor Lex Mauger from the University’s School of Natural Sciences, is leading the study which is being conducted on behalf of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The randomised controlled trial began on 1 March and will run for a year, with researchers testing elite cyclists’ performances under the controlled influence of tapentadol and dihydrocodeine. Subject to this study’s results the drugs could be added to WADA’s list of banned substances in sport.
You can hear from Professor Mauger and see one of the cyclists participating in the trial in the report by journalist James Dunn.
The BBC has also publicised the study online and on its Radio Kent news bulletins.
Professor Lex Mauger (left) is leading the research
Analysis of participant’s performance