Physiological Aids

Question 1

Pharmalogical Aids

Answer 1

Increase the rate of adaptation of the body to increase performance.

Question 2

Blood Doping - illegal

Answer 2

Benefits:
- increased volume of RBC
- increased O2 carrying capacity
- increased intensity and duration before fatiguing

Risks:
- increased blood viscosity
- increased risk of blood clots and heart failure
- decreased cardiac output
- risk of HIV

Question 3

Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT) - legal

Answer 3

Benefits:
- increased natural EPO production
- increased O2 carrying capacity
- increased rate of aerobic adaptation
- increased intensity and duration before fatiguing
- increased mitochondria and buffering capacity
- delayed OBLA
- easier and cheaper than altitude training

Risks:
- benefits quickly lost when training stops
- dehydration
- not safe for people with CV/respiratory conditions
- easy to lose motivation

Question 4

Cooling Aids - PRE EVENT - legal

Answer 4

Benefits:
- reduces core body temperature
- reduces cardiovascular drift
- reduces overheating/sweating/dehydration

Risks:
- difficult to perceive excersise intensity
- ice burns and pain
- angina/chest pain

Question 5

Cooling Aids - INJURY TREATMENT - legal

Answer 5

Benefits:
- reduce pain and swelling
- arterioles vasoconstrict to reduce blood flow

Risks:
- ice burns and pain
- angina/chest pain
- can hide and complicate injuries

Question 6

Cooling Aids - POST EVENT - legal

Answer 6

Benefits:
- speed up recovery/reduce DOMS
- flush of oxygenated blood to remove lactic acid

Risks:
- difficult to perceive excersise intensity
- ice burns and pain
- angina/chest pain