Spirit of Sport Blog
![NSF Certified for Sport logo.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/nsf-certified-for-sport-600x400-1.jpg)
Athlete Advisory: Always Verify Third-Party Certified Logos on Dietary Supplements
Third-party certification logos on dietary supplement labels are being misused, and you can’t rely only on the presence of third-party certification logos.
![Stem cell exosomes in lab.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/exosomes-post.jpg)
What Athletes Need to Know About Exosomes
Answers to some commonly asked questions about therapies involving extracellular vesicles, such as stem cell exosomes.
![Glass ampoule labeled "For research use only."](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/research-chemicals-post.jpg)
Research Chemicals: A Worrying Trend Putting Athletes at Risk
What are research chemicals or products advertised as “not for human consumption”, and how are they a risk for drug tested athletes?
![Anna van Brummen.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/anna-van-brummen-post.jpg)
Olympian Anna van Brummen Shares Advice after Positive Test
A longtime fencer, Olympian, and Princeton University graduate, Anna van Brummen has been familiar with and committed to clean sport for many years. She checks
![Peptide container next to a syringe.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/mots-c-post.jpg)
What is the MOTS-c peptide?
Athletes should be wary of experimental peptides, including the prohibited MOTS-c, which can be found on websites with the label “for research purposes only.”
![Spinach and beets.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/nutrition-performance-post.jpg)
Can Nutrition Really Enhance Performance?
A look at the nutrition options that are touted to enhance performance and if they are really worth considering for athletes.
![Anna van Brummen.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/anna-van-brummen-post.jpg)
Olympian Anna van Brummen Shares Advice after Positive Test
A longtime fencer, Olympian, and Princeton University graduate, Anna van Brummen has been familiar with and committed to clean sport for many years. She checks
![Desmond Jackson.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/desmond-jackson-post-1.jpg)
Paralympian Desmond Jackson on Why Diligence Matters
Desmond Jackson took a pill from his coach, no questions asked. What happened that day would change the course of his athletic career and life.
![Lilly King holding the United States Flag while at the Olympics with a medal around her neck.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/lilly-king-post.jpg)
Taking a Stand for Clean Sport as an Active Athlete
Lilly King explains how she hopes to inspire and help more active athletes take a stand for clean sport at the peak of their influence in sport.
![Kara Goucher receiving a medal](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/goucher-receiving-medal-1.jpg)
Moving Forward: Kara Goucher’s Ongoing Fight for Clean Sport
Kara Goucher speaks about her ongoing fight for clean sport and why it’s important for all those who believe in the integrity of sport to take a stand.
![Abby Raymond weightlifting](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/Abby-raymond-post.jpg)
Abby Raymond: Supplement Safety is Never Guaranteed
See Abby Raymond tell her story about how a contaminated supplement put her hard work, reputation, and goals in jeopardy.
![Shalane Flanagan holding USA flag](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/shalane-flanagan-post-2.jpg)
Shalane Flanagan: Losing Big Moments to Dopers
A four-time Olympian, Olympic silver medalist, and New York City Marathon winner, Shalane Flanagan has had a wildly successful career in track and field and could have even more accolades to her name and priceless moments in her memory…if not for athletes who’ve used performance-enhancing drugs to gain an advantage in sport.
![NSF Certified for Sport logo.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/nsf-certified-for-sport-600x400-1.jpg)
Athlete Advisory: Always Verify Third-Party Certified Logos on Dietary Supplements
Third-party certification logos on dietary supplement labels are being misused, and you can’t rely only on the presence of third-party certification logos.
![Stem cell exosomes in lab.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/exosomes-post.jpg)
What Athletes Need to Know About Exosomes
Answers to some commonly asked questions about therapies involving extracellular vesicles, such as stem cell exosomes.
![Glass ampoule labeled "For research use only."](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/research-chemicals-post.jpg)
Research Chemicals: A Worrying Trend Putting Athletes at Risk
What are research chemicals or products advertised as “not for human consumption”, and how are they a risk for drug tested athletes?
![Peptide container next to a syringe.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/mots-c-post.jpg)
What is the MOTS-c peptide?
Athletes should be wary of experimental peptides, including the prohibited MOTS-c, which can be found on websites with the label “for research purposes only.”
![A bowl and spoon of hemp seeds next to a jar of hemp seed oil.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/hemp-seed-oil-post.jpg)
Can Hemp Products Cause a Positive Anti-Doping Test?
Here’s what athletes need to know about hemp products and the risk of testing positive from those products.
![Health professional applying take to an athlete's leg.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/shutterstock_1781504402.jpg)
What is a Health Professional’s Role in Anti-Doping?
Learn the roles and responsibilities that health professionals have when it comes to clean sport and anti-doping responsibilities.
![Spinach and beets.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/nutrition-performance-post.jpg)
Can Nutrition Really Enhance Performance?
A look at the nutrition options that are touted to enhance performance and if they are really worth considering for athletes.
![High fiber foods against a white background, including fruits, vegetables, breads, and legumes.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/shutterstock_1021126003.jpg)
When Should Athletes Consume Fiber?
Getting adequate amounts of fiber in the diet is critical for a variety of reasons: digestive health, immune function, and long-term chronic disease prevention.
![Close up of hands on a kettle bell in a gym.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/shutterstock_678648949.jpg)
How Should I Adjust My Nutrition Habits in The Offseason?
The offseason can be a great time for athletes to adjust their nutrition habits by embracing more foods and in different quantities.
![Man and woman eating salad with beans and rice in a gym.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/nutrient-timing-post.jpg)
Nutrient Timing: How do I Space Out Meals Around Training?
There is a lot that goes into effective nutrient timing, but here, we will explain some of the core principles and some possible applications.
![Healthy nutrition](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/healthy-products-sources-of-carbohydrates-2021-08-27-09-55-16-utc-scaled.jpg)
Expert Tips for Fueling During Training
In this article, we share the truth about detox diets and when athletes should become aware of the potential harms.
![The word DETOX made out of chia seeds and a smoothie.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/detox-post.jpg)
Detox Diets: Are They Worth the Hype?
In this article, we share the truth about detox diets and when athletes should become aware of the potential harms.
![Bowl of coffee beans and tea leaves.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/caffeine-post.jpg)
Substance Profile: Caffeine
Caffeine is currently on WADA’s monitoring list which means it is not prohibited but it may become an anti-doping issue in the future.
![spironolactone](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/spironolactone-post.jpg)
Substance Profile: Spironolactone is Prohibited in Sport
Subject to anti-doping rules? always check the prohibited status of medications, even if prescribed for a condition unrelated to athletic performance.
![TASSO blood collection device for dried blood spot testing on white background.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/tasso-web.jpg)
Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Testing – Athlete Q & A
USADA has launched a pilot program for a new blood collection process designed to improve the athlete experience, enable more blood collections, and increase sample longevity.
![role of usada science](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/role-of-science.jpg)
The Role of Science in Anti-Doping
Science plays a crucial role in in the fight for clean sport and USADA’s team of experts play a major role in applying and growing the field of anti-doping science, which brings together toxicology, pharmacology, clinical chemistry, and biological sciences.
![yellow pills on white background](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/post_fight-against-supplement-risks.jpg)
Protecting Athletes and Consumers: USADA’s Fight Against Supplement Risks
By supporting legislation and initiatives to protect athletes and consumers, USADA has demonstrated its commitment to educate athletes & consumers about supplement risks.
![tap device on women's arm](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/tap-post.jpg)
DCO Insights: TAP Testing at the Boston Marathon
USADA Doping Control Officers share their experiences with the TAP device, athletes’ feedback on the new blood collection process, and what the device means for clean sport.
![Raymond Bunker.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/raymond-bunker-post-.jpg)
Meet Raymond Bunker: Professional Wrestler, MMA Fighter, and Anti-Doping Education Athlete Presenter
Raymond Bunker is working to ensure a level playing field for the next generation of athletes by serving as a USADA Anti-Doping Education Athlete Presenter.
![Carissa Gump.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/carissa-gump-post.jpg)
Meet Carissa Gump: Olympian and Anti-Doping Education Athlete Presenter
Carissa Gump is working to ensure a level playing field for the next generation of athletes by serving as an Anti-Doping Education Athlete Presenter for USADA.
![Jen Armbruster playing goalball.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/jen-armbruster-post-e1685561678662.jpg)
Meet Jen Armbruster: Paralympic Medalist and Anti-Doping Education Athlete Presenter
Paralympian Jen Armbruster joins USADA to help educate the current generation of athletes about why it matters to compete the right way.
![Derrick Adkins.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/derrick-adkins-post.jpg)
Meet Derrick Adkins: Olympic Hurdler and Anti-Doping Education Athlete Presenter
Olympian Derrick Adkins joins USADA to help educate the current generation of athletes about why it matters to compete the right way.
![Nzingha Prescod.](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/nzingha-prescod-still.jpg)
Meet Nzingha Prescod: Two-Time Olympic Fencer and Anti-Doping Education Athlete Presenter
Olympic fencer Nzingha Prescod, will draw on her experience to explain the importance of anti-doping rules to today’s athletes.
![DCO Ann Miller](https://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/ann-miller-post.jpg)
Q&A with USADA DCO Ann Miller: What are Chaperones?
In this interview, USADA Doping Control Officer (DCO) Ann Miller explains the role and importance of chaperones in the testing process.