Athlete Biological Passport

The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) is one of the most effective tools in our efforts to both deter and detect doping. 

The ABP monitors a series of biological parameters through a dedicated software programme to pick up on indications of doping.

The ABP is an informative tool that sits alongside direct testing, whereabouts and performance monitoring. there is no such thing as “failing the ABP”.

The ABP creates individual reference ranges for each athlete. Fluctuations may indicate doping/use of prohibited methods.

The biological markers of doping substances and methods remain detectable in the body for longer than the substances themselves.

An atypical profile goes to the expert panel who decide on whether or not it is indicative of doping.

How does the ABP work?

Analysis by a panel of three experts is triggered by any atypical value. This can be an abnormal Haemoglobin or hematocrit level or OFF Score. The experts determine whether there is a likely doping case to answer or whether there are other plausible explanations for the abnormal scores.

Either they rule:

  1. No case to answer.
  2. They request more targeted testing in order to build up more information.
  3. They unanimously agree that the only possible explanation is the use of Prohibited Substances or Methods and the athlete is sanctioned with an Anti Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).


What is an OFF Score

If you are tested for the ABP, you will start to compile a profile of blood parameters over a period of time that can be assessed as “normal” for you. The OFF Score is one of these parameters and is worked out by using your Haemoglobin count and your percentage of reticulocytes (your immature red blood cells). If an athlete tried to cheat using blood boosting doping such as EPO, or by infusing their own blood back into their body, then this is reflected in both these markers and highlighted by the OFF Score.

OFF Score = Hb x 10 - 60x(√reticulocyte %)

OFF Scores vary individually and between genders. A number of factors such as recent altitude training or sleeping in a tent, recent hard training, recent heavy blood loss or transfusion, extreme dehydration or exposure to extreme cold, can affect your OFF Score in different ways so you should be very clear on giving details of these in the forms.

The ABP is an excellent tool to catch Athletes who break the rules and deter doping, so helps better protect each and every clean athlete.

  • ABP Blood Test

    Find out about the Athlete Biological Passport blood sampling process; what is required and how to fill in the form.

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