RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Erythropoietin and blood doping JF British Journal of Sports Medicine JO Br J Sports Med FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine SP i30 OP i34 DO 10.1136/bjsm.2006.027532 VO 40 IS suppl 1 A1 N Robinson A1 S Giraud A1 C Saudan A1 N Baume A1 L Avois A1 P Mangin A1 M Saugy YR 2006 UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/40/suppl_1/i30.abstract AB Objective and method: To outline the direct and indirect approaches in the fight against blood doping in sports, the different strategies that have been used and are currently being used to fight efficiently against blood doping are presented and discussed. Results and conclusions: The paper outlines the different approaches and diagnostic tools that some federations have to identify and target sportspeople demonstrating abnormal blood profiles. Originally blood tests were introduced for medical reasons and for limiting misuse of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). In this way it became possible to prevent athletes with haematocrit levels well above normal, and potentially dangerous for their health, competing in sport. Today, with nearly a decade of blood testing experience, sports authorities should be familiar with some of the limitations and specially the ability of blood tests performed prior to competitions to fight efficiently against the misuse of rHuEPO, blood transfusion, and artificial haemoglobin.