The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published the revised 2026 International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI), introducing a key change to blood collection procedures that benefits athletes’ schedules.

The “60-Minute Rule” for Blood Collection

“The mandatory waiting period for athletes providing a blood sample after training or competition has been reduced from 2 hours to 60 minutes, ensuring the process remains scientifically valid while being more time-efficient for the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) requirements.”

• Scientific Context: WADA has determined that a 60-minute rest period is scientifically sufficient for physiological markers, such as plasma volume, to stabilize.
• Purpose: This update ensures the Haematological Module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) remains accurate.

Scope of Application

This revised 60-minute requirement applies specifically to:

• Blood samples for the ABP Haematological Module.
• Blood samples collected in serum tubes for the analysis of Growth Hormone (GH) and ERAs (Erythropoietin Receptor Agonists).

Note: This wait time is only mandatory if the athlete has trained or competed immediately prior to the testing notification.

New Procedural Requirements

• Resting Position: Athletes must remain seated in an upright position with their feet on the floor for at least 10 minutes before the draw (this is part of the total 60-minute window).
• Documentation: A new “Blood Collection Supplementary Report Form” replaces the old ABP form.

For more details, you can read the full announcement here: WADA publishes revised 2026 International Standard for Testing and Investigations