Performance Enhancement Flashcards
Explain how steroids benefit athletes
Anabolic steroids work by helping the body’s muscle cells produce more protein, which as long as the athlete works out , leads to increased muscle size and strength, and also allows the body to produce more ATP
What types of athletes would benefit from anabolic steroids
Athletes involved in power sports Sprinting Weight lifting Throwing events Rugby
Explain EPO
EPO is erythropoietin, and it stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells, and haemoglobin. Commonly used amongst endurance athletes as RBC count means better oxygen transportation, and higher aerobic capacity.
What are the two types of blood doping
Autologous and homologous
What is autologous blood doping
It’s when the blood is frozen 1-2 days before the competition, when it is thawed, it is injected back into the athletes body
What is homologous blood doping
Is the injection of fresh blood, removed from a second person, straight into the athlete
What types of athletes use EPO
Endurance athletes
Marathon runners
Rowers
Long distance swimmers
Medical uses for EPO
Used for: People with anaemia (low blood count) Renal failure Cancer HIV Pre/post surgery
Side effects of EPO
Increases viscosity (thickness) of the blood Fever Seizures Nausea Headache Anxiety
Describe blood doping and its affects on performance
The injection of oxygenated blood into an athlete before an event in attempt to enhance performance. It impacts the athletes performance, as it increases red blood cells.
Describe steroids
They are synthetic hormones which resemble testosterone in promoting the growth of muscles.
What are some medical uses for steroids
Doctors use steroids to treat some hormone problems in men, delayed puberty, and muscle loss from some diseases
Side effect of steroids
Severe ache Hair loss Liver, kidney, and heart disease Excess facial hair High blood pressure Altered mood
Description of HGH
HGH stands for human growth hormone and is produced by the pituitary gland and is essential for normal growth. It is anabolic and accelerates protein synthesis also break downs stores in fats.
HGH effects on performance
Increases muscle mass
Decreases fat stores
Accelerates muscle recovery
What types of athletes use HGH
Athletes involved in powerful, strength demanding sports and events
Medical uses of HGH
HGH injections are approved for treating poor growth due to medical causes, such as:
Turners syndrome
Chronic kidney insufficiency
Children born small
Description of caffeine
Caffeine is a naturally occurring legal drug, and is a stimulant and mild diuretic found in many drinks
Caffeine effects on performance
Improved muscle contractibility Increased time to exhaustion Improved concentration Enhances alertness Recused fatigue
Side affects of caffeine
Abdominal pain Diarrhoea Dehydration Palpitations Anxiety Headaches High blood pressure Increased muscle tension
What are ergogenic aids
An ergogenic aid is a performance enhancer to improve an athletes performance during physical activity. It is any substance that gives you a mental or physical edge while competing. These substances can be legal or illegal.
What are medical uses of caffeine
Used to prevent migraines and headaches Improve mental alertness Asthma Gallbladder disease ADHD Low blood pressure
What type of athletes would benefit from caffeine
Gymnastics
Archery
Side effects of HGH
Nerve, muscle, joint pain Swelling Carpal tunnel syndrome Numbness of skin High cholesterol levels
