Physiological aids

Question 1

Blood doping

Answer 1

• illegal practice of removing blood from the athlete 3-4 weeks before performance.
• blood is frozen
• athlete trains which replenishes lost blood
• 2 hours before the event the extracted blood is re-injected through a saline solution
• artificial increase in number of RBC

Question 2

Benefits and drawbacks of blood doping

Answer 2

+increased red blood cells
+increased oxygen transport
- increased blood viscosity
- decreased cardiac output

Question 3

Intermittent hypoxic training

Answer 3

• a mask supplying a limited ppo2 in the air breathed by the athlete is worn during aerobic exercise.
• less oxygen inhaled per breath
  +acclimatisation for events at altitude
  +increased Reb blood cell
• lose motivation
• dehydration

Question 4

Cooling aids

Answer 4

pre event = cooling towels or ice vests used to reduce core body temperature.
Injuries = swelling and ice packs
post event = ice baths
+reduce core body temperature
+decreased sweating/dehydration
- ice burns
- mask injury