Under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules, athletes are required to wait for a specified time period after physical activity (like training and competition) before providing certain blood samples. These requirements are changing as of April 1, 2026.
Please read through the following advisory to learn how and when you will see changes to blood collection wait times.
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How are blood collection wait times changing?
Effective April 1, 2026, there will be two changes to blood collection wait times that impact athletes:
- Following physical activity, a wait time will be introduced for all blood collections (except DBS samples), meaning that more athletes may experience wait time requirements prior to providing blood samples after physical activity.
- When athletes are subject to wait times, that wait time has been reduced to 60 minutes, meaning that athletes will have to wait 60 minutes after physical activity before they can provide a blood sample. This includes 10 minutes of seated rest, directly prior to providing the sample.
- Through March 31, athletes will need to continue to wait until two hours after completion of physical activity before their blood sample can be collected.
Why do I have to wait after physical activity before providing a blood sample?
Exercise and postural changes can alter the liquid component of blood, known as plasma volume. If plasma volume increases or decreases, this can affect certain blood values that are measured in your sample by anti-doping laboratories. The wait time allows plasma volume to stabilize, ensuring the blood values affected by recent physical activity return to a normal state so samples can be accurately analyzed. This is particularly important for all the modules of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) because the ABP assesses changes between samples and looks for any fluctuations that may indicate the use of performance-enhancing drugs or methods.
Why did the rule change?
New research shows that 60 minutes provides enough time for blood values to return to normal and ensure accurate sample analysis and interpretation. The reduced wait time is designed to make blood collection wait times less burdensome for athletes.
The introduction of wait times across all blood collections provides consistency and reduces the influence of prior exercise on all blood samples.
I haven’t experienced wait times for previous blood collections following physical activity – why is that changing and will it apply to every blood collection?
Anti-doping science is continually evolving, and we now know that prior exercise can contribute to unexplained variation in sample results, particularly when compared over time. The new wait time for all blood samples helps to reduce the influence of external factors on certain blood values and provides consistency across all blood collections. In addition, you will also be asked to sit for 10 minutes at the end of the 60-minute period prior to the actual sample collection. This requirement allows further stabilization of your blood volume.
How important is it that I wait the full 60 minutes before providing a blood sample?
Since the wait time is critical to the interpretation of your sample results, it is very important to wait the full 60 minutes following physical activity. If you can’t remember exactly when you concluded training or competition, we recommend playing it safe and waiting more time rather than less time.
If I’m selected for testing at a competition, do I have to wait 60 minutes after arriving at the doping control station?
No, the 60-minute period begins when you complete physical activity, so any time spent on media obligations, a medal ceremony, etc. (unless it’s a cool down) is included in the 60 minutes.
I usually get blood tested early in the morning – will I have to wait 60 minutes going forward?
You will only need to wait if you have trained at all in the hour prior to notification. If you have engaged in physical activity, you will need to wait 60 minutes from the time you completed that activity.
Why doesn’t the wait time apply to DBS samples?
The analysis of DBS samples is not influenced by plasma volume (the liquid part of your blood) and therefore is not affected by prior exercise.
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More questions?
For questions about specific products, substances, and methods, contact USADA’s Drug Reference Line at DrugReference@USADA.org or call (719) 785-2000, option 2.
