7.5 Drugs In Sport Flashcards
reasons for using illegal drugs and doping methods to aid performance
- social
- psychological
social reasons
- Win at all costs
- Fame and fortune (extrinsic rewards)
- Pressure
- ‘get away with it’
- Poor role models
psychological reasons
- increase aggression
- increase confidence
types of drugs
- anabolic steroids - artificially produced hormone
- beta blockers - medication used for heart conditions by widening arteries to increase blood flow.
- EPO - natural hormone produced by kidneys to increase red blood cells
physiological effects of anabolic steroids on performer and performance
- aids storage of proteins and promotes muscle growth leading to increased power + strength.
- leads to a lean body weight
- improves bodies capacity to train for longer
- used by power athletes
- side effects;
> liver damage, heart probs, acne, behavioural changes i.e. aggression, paranoia
physiological effects of beta blockers on performer and performance
- improves accuracy in precision sports
- steadies nerves
- keep HR low decreasing a tremble
- used by high precision sports
- side effects;
> tiredness due to low BP, slower HR which affects aerobic capacity
physiological effects of EPO on performer and performance
- stimulates RBC production leading to increase in o2 carrying capacity in body which can;
> increase amount of work performed
> increase endurance
> delay onset of fatigue - used by endurance athletes
- side effects;
> blood clots, stroke, death
other reasons athletes may take drugs
- Popularity of win at all costs mentality
- Close winning margins
- Fame/Fortune
- Pressure
- Poor models
- Deemed acceptable
- Lack of effective deterrents
Positive and negative implications to the sport and the performer
+ Better performance
+ Fame and fortune
- Threatens spirit and integrity of sport.
- Creates suspicion.
- Negative Role Model
- High Blood Pressure
- Increase risk of heart disease.
- Loss of income
- Isolation from Peers
strategies to eliminate PEDS in sport
D – Drug-Free culture created via education programmes (e.g. 100% Me)
O – Organisations involves in drug detection/enforcement need to work together
P – Punishments (harsher)
I – Investment required into new testing programmes + technology
N – Name + shame negative role models
G – Guilty lose funding / sponsorship deals
arguments for drug taking + testing
- expensive + time consuming
- drugs easy to access
- detection not always effective
- drugs sometimes accidently taken
- sacrifices made by performer is a personal choice
- if everyone takes drugs it would level the playing field
- if monitored, health risks could lessen.
arguments against drug taking + testing
- health risks + dangerous side effects
- creates negative role models
- gives negative image to certain sports
- pressure to take increases from coaches / peers
- success should be based on hard work
- drugs give an unfair advantage + are immoral
- only richer countries can afford them
- could cause loss of sponsorship, medals, funding
- it is illegal
