6.5 Drugs in Sport Flashcards
(36 cards)
Explain what is meant by ‘Drugs in Sport’
The use of illegal drugs and doping methods to enhance performance
Define the term ‘Doping’
The use of banned performance enhancing drugs by athletes
What are potential social reasons and motives for doping?
- Attitude to ‘win at all costs’
- Fame and fortune attached to success at elite level (money)
- Pressure to win from variety of sources (coaches, family, media)
- A performer having a firm belief that they would not get caught
- Poor role models setting bad examples
What are potential psychological reasons and motives for doping ?
- Could be used to steady nerves where fine motor control is required (beta blockers for a darts thrower)
- Anabolic steroids to increase aggression on high contact sports
- Stimulants to raise a performers belief that they can achieve/if they are suffering from a lack of confidence
Describe the characteristics of ‘Stimulants’
Drug that induces a temporary improvement in mental and physical function. Increases awareness, alertness, reduces reaction time and tiredness. Stimulants are highly addictive.
What athletes would benefit from taking Stimulants
Sprinters, sprint swimmers, high jumper, cricket
State examples of ‘Stimulants’ used in sport
Caffeine, amphetamines, cocaine
State the side effects of taking ‘Stimulants’
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Increase risk of injury as the performer is more tolerant to pain
- Liver and heart issues
- Can be used by performers who are injured
Describe the characteristics of ‘Anabolic Steroids’
An artificially produced hormone that aids in the storage of protein therefor promoting muscle growth. Leads to an increase in strength and power. Improves body’s capacity to train for longer at a higher intensity and decrease fatigue associated with training.
What athletes would benefit from taking ‘Anabolic Steroids’
Sprinters, cyclists, rugby players
State an example of an type of ‘Anabolic Steroid’
THG = tetrahydrogestrinone (tweaked by chemists)
State the side effects of taking ‘Anabolic Steroids’
- Behavioural changes (agression, paranoia, mood swings)
- Liver damage
- Heart issues
- Acne
- Weakened immunity
Describe the characteristics of ‘Beta Blockers’
Medication which widens the arteries, allowing for an increase in blood flow therefor reducing involuntary muscle spasms. Improves accuracy in precision sports by steadying nerves. Calms performance anxiety and lowers heart rate decreasing trembling. Counteracts the adrenaline produced with that interferes with performance.
Widening artery = increase blood flow = decrease hr = decrease bp = counteracting adrenaline = decrease anxiety = decrease trembling
What athletes would benefit from taking ‘Beta Blockers’
Shooting events (pistol), darts, archery, gold, snooker
State the side effects of taking ‘Beta Blockers’
- Slows HR which will affect aerobic capacity
- Tiredness due to low BP
Why may games players NOT use ‘Beta Blockers’
Games players require a large blood supply to the working muscles and adrenaline is needed for aggression typically useful in games sports.
Describe the characteristics of ‘Erythropoietin/peptide hormone’
A natural hormone produced by the kidneys to increase RBC count. It can now artificially be manufactured to cause an increase in oxygen carrying haemoglobin levels = increase in the body’s oxygen carrying capacity which delays onset fatigue.
What athletes would benefit from taking ‘Erythropoietin/peptide hormone’
Triathletes, long distance runners, long distance cyclists
State the side effects of taking “Erythropoietin/peptide hormone’
- Blood clotting
- Stroke
- Death
Describe the characteristics of ‘Blood Doping’
Artificial method to increase RBC count in the blood. Involves the athlete removing and storing (freezing) 2 pints of blood, several (6) weeks before competition. The body will replace the blood that was removed. Blood injected back into the athlete 1-2 days before competition (blood transfusion)
What athletes would benefit from ‘Blood Doping’
Endurance athletes = long distance running, cycling
State the side effects of ‘Blood Doping’
- Increases blood viscosity which would lead to heart attack
- Blood borne disease e.g. HIV
- Embolism (blockage of blood vessel)
Name an athlete who used the process of ‘Blood Doping’ to enhance sporting performance
Lance Armstrong
Road racing cyclist
Seven consecutive Tour de France titles stripped
Banned for life
Describe the characteristics of ‘Diuretics’
Drug that removes fluids from the body. Not used to improve performance; used for other reasons such as loosing weight rapidly. Could also be used to dilute/mask the presence of other illegal substances (hide other PED’s used) Excreted through urine.
