Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
PhD Student, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
2
Associate Professor, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
4
Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
5
PhD in Sports Pathology, Vice President of the Iranian Sports Medicine Federation
10.22034/jsmk.2025.68458.1158
Abstract
Given the significant growth in the use of social networks among athletes, these platforms have become an effective tool for controlling the counterfeit sports supplements market. The main objective of the research was to analyze the role of social networks in controlling the counterfeit sports supplements market. The research method was qualitative and data-driven. The statistical population of the present study consisted of three groups of consumers, suppliers of these supplements, and sports nutritionists. The snowdrop sampling method was used for sampling to conduct semi-structured interviews. The research tool was an interview, which was conducted with 19 people. The validity of the research tool (interview) was confirmed by the interviewees and then by expert professors, and the intra-subject agreement method was used to measure reliability. The grounded theory method and Max Quda software version 20 were used to analyze the data. The findings of this study showed that the role of social networks in controlling the counterfeit sports supplements market includes: public awareness and education, monitoring and tracking, technology development, deterrence, improving media culture, recognizing legal aspects, and branding legal sellers. These categories included a total of 19 main concepts and 82 factors or open codes. Based on the findings of the study, we conclude that social networks play an effective role in identifying and exposing counterfeit sports supplements by increasing public awareness. These platforms help to clarify the market by providing immediate user feedback and social monitoring.
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