This document discusses short-term preparation for athletes before competition. It defines ergogenic aids as substances or devices that enhance energy production, use or recovery to provide a competitive advantage. It provides examples of different types of ergogenic aids, including mechanical aids like heart rate monitors; naturally occurring products like ginseng; chemical copies like creatine monohydrate; psychological techniques like imagery and hypnosis; and dietary supplements. The key factors that influence the legality of an ergogenic substance are whether it physically enhances performance, is detrimental to health, or conflicts with the spirit of sport.

1. A2 PE

2. 1)
To understand what athletes need to take into
consideration in the short period before
competition
2)
To understand the meaning of ‘ergogenic aids’
and the different components
3)
To be able to give practical examples of
technological aids during short-term
preparation of sport

3. “short-term” – the time immediately before
competition; hours or days before
Technical sports such as skiing and cycling often
involve large teams of people
Large amounts of kit and equipment are often
involved

4.  Climate
 Playing surface
 Indoor/outdoor
 Protection/risk of injury

5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIncQXsE52E
 Players should wear kit that helps them maintain their
core body temperature. For example the use of skins/compression clothing.
 Key climatic factors that may affect performance:
1) temperature
2) UV exposure
3) humidity
4) wind
 Further Reading - Text book page 44/45 and make notes

6. Key Term –
Thermoregulation
The ability to maintain
body temperature
within certain
boundaries, even when
the surrounding
temperature is very
different.
Key Term – Venous
Return
The amount of blood
returning to the heart
(via the veins)

7. Use the information you gained from the video to
describe the physiological benefits of compression
clothing.
Can you think of any other benefits (other than
physiological) that short term technological
preparation my have on an athlete?

8.  “Substances or devices that enhance energy production, use or
recovery, and provide athletes with a competitive advantage” (Ahrendt,
2001)
 Used in order to enhance physical power, mental strength or
mechanical edge; preventing the onset of fatigue
mechanical
psychological
Types of
ergogenic
aids
chemical
physiological

10. Athletes use simple and
common mechanical aids
such as heart rate monitors,
or more complex aids such
as hypoxic chambers. (lowoxygen chamber)
Why is this short-term?
More common mechanical
aid is the stream lined
swimsuit…..HOWEVER…..

11. 
NATURALLY
OCCURRING
PRODUCTS
Example : ginseng

CHEMICAL COPIES
Example : creatine monohydrate
KEY TERM :
Ginseng – a natural extract and
one of the oldest sports
supplements. It benefits
glycogen synthesis (the process
of turning glycogen to ATP) and
allows an athlete to train and
compete for longer and at a
higher intensity
KEY TERM :
Creatine monohydrate – is a
powder that is taken with
fluids that boosts levels of
amino acid, helps maintain
energy levels for longer and
enhances ATP-PC energy
pathway

12.  Techniques such as sports massage and acupuncture
 Acupuncture is very controversial
as it is not proven to benefit a performer
 It involves inserting and
manipulating needles into certain
points on the body to relieve pain and
for therapeutic purposes

13. Include the use of imagery, music and hypnosis
KEY TERM :
Hypnosis – a wakeful state of
focused attention and heightened
suggestibility with diminished
peripheral awareness.

14. Dietary and nutritional supplements
Drugs
There are 3 main factors that influence the legality of
an ergogenic substance:
 Physical Enhance the performance of the athlete
 Be detrimental to the athletes health (or potentially
lethal)
 Conflict with the general spirit of sport.

15. Can you think of any specific times where you have
experienced short-term technological preparation?
How did this benefit you?