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- 1. Performance enhancing drugs 1. Diuretics Drugs 2. Anabolic steroids Are 3. Beta Blockers Bad 4. Stimulants 5. Human growth hormone So 6. Erythropoietin Hate Em
- 2. Anabolic Steroids “Derivatives of the hormone testosterone“ Exogenous Synthetic versions of testosterone. Common examples include Nandrolone and Danazol. Endogenous Naturally occurring substances involved in the metabolic pathways of testosterone. When testing for drug use, all endogenous steroids have a normal range. Results outside of this normal range are deemed positive.
- 3. Physiological effects Advantages Increased muscle bulk Increased muscle strength Faster muscle recovery Disadvantages Decreased sperm production and sex drive Increased aggression, irritability and mood swings Liver disorders Acne Baldness (alopecia) Hypertension (high blood pressure) Raised cholesterol
- 4. Erythropoietin “Erythropoietin (often shortened to EPO) is a naturally occurring hormone, secreted by the kidneys, whose function is to regulate red blood cell production.” Advantages EPO stimulates bone marrow to produce more red blood cells and therefore haemoglobin. For this reason EPO is most commonly used amongst endurance athletes as a higher RBC count means better oxygen transportation and so a higher rate of aerobic respiration. The faster the rate of aerobic respiration, the higher the level at which the athlete can work without utilising the anaerobic systems which produce lactic acid and cause fatigue.
- 5. Disadvantages • There is are major side-effects of using erythropoietin which have proven to be fatal in previous cases: • Increased viscosity of the blood (which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke) • Fever • Seizures (fits) • Nausea • Headache • Anxiety • Legarthy
- 6. Human Growth Hormone “Human Growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and is essential for normal growth and development. It is anabolic, meaning it accelerates protein synthesis and also aids the metabolism (breaking down) of fat stores.” Advantages • Increased muscle mass • Decreased fat stores • Accelerated muscle recovery • Commonly combined with anabolic steroids for maximum effect. • Athletes involved in powerful, strength demanding sports are more likely to take Human Growth Hormone.
- 7. Disadvantages • Abnormally excessive growth in height, especially in younger athletes. • Growth and swelling of body parts, typically hands, feet and nose. • Low production of the thyroid hormone which disrupts metabolic rate and protein production. • Disease of the cardiac muscle, increasing the risk of arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. • Cardiac Failure. • High levels of cholesterol in the blood . • Diabetes. • Impotence. • Osteoporosis.
- 8. Beta Blockers “Beta blockers are capable of reducing the heart rate and reducing the blood pressure by dilating blood vessels.” Advantages • Reduce nerve-inducing muscle twitches and shaking. • Good for precision sports like archery and darts which require a steady hand • Reduced heart rate
- 9. Disadvantages • Drowsiness or fatigue • Reduced circulation through the hands and feet • Dizziness • Dry mouth • Depression • Rarely, more serious side effects, including memory loss and impotence, can result.
- 10. Stimulants Advantages • Improve reaction time • Reduce fatigue • Euphoria • Confidence boosts • Intensify aggression • Improve endurance • Increased glycogen and fatty acid metabolism
- 11. Disadvantages • Tachycardia • Palpitations • Hypertension • Nervousness • Restlessness • Insomnia • Seizures
- 12. Diuretics “Diuretics are drugs including Frusemide, Chlorothiazide and Hydrochlorothiazide. Their purpose is to remove excess water from the body although each type of diuretic does this in a different way.” Advantages Diuretics are not used to enhance performance. If anything they have a detrimental effect on performance as they cause dehydration. Diuretics are used for two reasons: • Firstly to lose weight rapidly in sports which require the athlete to be within a set weight limit. For example boxers and jockeys. • Secondly, to dilute the presence of illegal substances and aid their excretion.
- 13. Disadvantages • Dehydration • Hypotension (low blood pressure) • Muscle Cramps • Electrolyte disturbances Muscle weakness • Seizures Gout (caused by a build-up of uric acid) • Fatigue