Integrating Advanced Metabolomics and Machine Learning for Anti-Doping in Human Athletes

Mohannad N. AbuHaweeleh, Ahmad Hamdan, Jawaher Al-Essa, Shaikha Aljaal, Nasser Al Saad, Costas Georgakopoulos, Francesco Botre, Mohamed A. Elrayess

The ongoing challenge of doping in sports has triggered the adoption of advanced scientific strategies for the detection and prevention of doping abuse. This review examines the potential of integrating metabolomics aided by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for profiling small-molecule metabolites across biological systems to advance anti-doping efforts. While traditional targeted detection methods serve a primarily forensic role—providing legally defensible evidence by directly identifying prohibited substances—metabolomics offers complementary insights by revealing both exogenous compounds and endogenous physiological alterations that may persist beyond direct drug detection windows, rather than serving as an alternative to routine forensic testing. High-throughput platforms such as UHPLC-HRMS and NMR, coupled with targeted and untargeted metabolomic workflows, can provide comprehensive datasets that help discriminate between doped and clean athlete profiles. However, the complexity and dimensionality of these datasets necessitate sophisticated computational tools. ML algorithms, including supervised models like XGBoost and multi-layer perceptrons, and unsupervised methods such as clustering and dimensionality reduction, enable robust pattern recognition, classification, and anomaly detection. These approaches enhance both the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic screening and optimize resource allocation. Case studies illustrate the value of integrating metabolomics and ML—for example, detecting recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) use via indirect blood markers and uncovering testosterone and corticosteroid abuse with extended detection windows. Future progress will rely on interdisciplinary collaboration, open-access data infrastructure, and continuous methodological innovation to fully realize the complementary role of these technologies in supporting fair play and athlete well-being.