The document discusses various performance enhancing substances and methods used by athletes both historically and currently. It describes substances that improve performance like anabolic agents and EPO but also lists serious health side effects. It notes that prior to the 1960s, doping was common due to a lack of testing but that groups like the IOC have since worked to establish banned substance lists and anti-doping initiatives in response to deaths. Both personal and environmental reasons are discussed for why some athletes still resort to illegal performance enhancement despite the health risks and potential penalties.

2. Performance enhancing
substances
 Ergogenic aids are
practices or substances –
legal or illegal – that
improve performance
 Because of the huge
desire (both intrinsic and
extrinsic) to win, there is a
huge amount of research
into improving
performance and recovery

3. Performance enhancing
substances
 Pre -1960’s, it was
common for athletes to
use illegal performanceenhancing drugs (because
there was no drug testing)
 Coaches, athletes and
administrators ignored the
potential side effects and
ethical considerations.

4. Performance enhancing
substances
 The IOC became actively
involved in anti-doping
initiatives when Tommy
Simpson died during the
1967 Tour De France
 The medical Commission
of the IOC was
established in 1967
 A list of banned
substances was
developed
 This list includes -

5. Illegal substances list
 beta-blockers, stimulants, narcotics (pain
blockers), diuretics, anabolic agents (protein
(muscle) building substances), peptide
hormones, blood doping,

6. Anabolic agents
 Also known as Anabolic
androgenic steroids
 Such as: Testosterone
 Performance benefits:
 Increased lean muscle
mass and strength
 Reduced fatigue
 Increased rate of
recovery
 Increased aggression

7. Anabolic agents – Side
effects
Male

Possible infertility

Increased libido

Female
Testicular atrophy

Baldness

Development of breast tissue
 Menstrual problems
 Body/facial hair
 Enlarged clitoris
 Deeper voice
Both:
- Liver damage, diabetes, heart problems, mood swings, acne and
more

8. Anti-oestrogenic agents
 Usually used
legitimately for
hormone replacement
therapy (treatment for
breast cancers)
 Illegally used to
counteract undesireable
side-effects associated
with anabolic steroid
use – such as the
development of breast
tissue.
Side effects:
- Hot flushes
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Fluid retention
- Venous thrombosis

9. Hormones and related
substances
 EPO (Erythopoietin)
 Benefits
 Increases RBC
production, thus
increasing O2 carrying
capacity
 Side effects
 Blood thickening
 Blood clots
 Increased risk of heart
attack/stroke
 Dehydration
EPO is a naturally
occurring hormone
produced by the
body, therefore when
someone is injecting, its
use can be difficult to
detect.

10. Hormones and related
substances
 hGH (human growth
hormone)
 Benefits
 Increases muscle size
and strength
 Side-effects
 Acromegaly (disease of
the pituitary gland)
 Thickened skin
 Increased BP
 Hairiness
 Cardiac disease
Like EPO, hGH is produced
naturally via the pituitary gland –
and like EPO, it can be difficult to
detect synthetic use

11. Diuretics and masking
agents
 Medication to treat liver
and kidney diseases
 Benefits
 Increased production
of urine to assist in
making weight
restrictions
 Presence of other
drugs masked by
diluting their urine
samples
Side effects:
- Dehydration
- Kidney and heart failure
- Headaches
- Light-headedness

12. Stimulants
 Types:
Amphetamines, cocaine, e
phidrine
 Benefits
 CNS directly effected
(speeds up
movements/reactions)
 Increased
alertness, reduced
tiredness and
increased
competitiveness and
agression
 Prohibited in competition
Side effects:
- Heat regulation problems, increased
breathing rate, aggressive
behaviour, dehydration, weight
loss, increased HR, heart
palpitations, increased
BP, insomnia, dependence, depressio
n

13. Narcotic analegsics
 EG:
Heroin, morphine, pethadi
ne
 Benefits
 Reduced pain from
injury
 Ability to perform when
injured
 Side effects
 Increased risk of further
injury
 Balance/coordination
 Reduced concentration
 Lethargy
 Dependence/addiction
Narcotics and prohibited in
competition

14. Cannabinoids
 Types:
Hashish, marijuana
 Reduced ability to perform
complex tasks
 Benefits
 Continued use:
 None

Loss of motivation
 Side effects

Learning difficulties

Respiratory diseases

Dependence/addiction
 Impairment
 Loss of coordination
and concentration
 Increased heart rate
 Drowsiness
 Hallucinations

15. Glucocortico-steroids
 Power anti-inflammation
medication
 Benefits
 Used to treat
arthritis, asthma, infla
med joints etc
 Side effects
 Fluid retention
 Mood alteration
 Musculo-skeletal
problems (such as
osteoporosis)
Illegal in competition

16. Beta-blockers
 Types:
Acebutlolo, Esmolol
 Benefits
 Reduce body tremor
 Stop hands shaking
 Used in sports where
a steady hand is
required
 Side effects




Lowered BP
Decreased HR
Tiredness
Decreased
performance capacity
in endurance sports

17. Beta-blockers
 Prohibited in the
following sports:








Archery
Billiards
Bobsleigh
Gymnastics
Modern pentathlon
Ski Jumping
Shooting
Wrestling

18. Blood Doping
 Involves infusing extra
human blood (pre
harvested) prior to an
event to increase
aerobic performance
 Can be the athletes or
someone else's blood
 Benefits
 Increased RBC
count, thus improved
O2 devivery
Side effects:
- Thickening of the blood
(increased viscosity)
- Blood clots
- Increased risk of heart
attack/stroke
- Dehydration

19. Illegal Performance
enhancers
 Many athletes still try to take an illegal advantage by
resorting to illegal strategies
 The reason athletes choose to take these illegal
methods are to enhance training and recovery
 Some other reasons could include:

20. Reasons for illegal
performance enhancement
Personal Reasons
(intrinsic)
Environmental Reasons
(Extrinsic)
 Ongoing dissatisfaction with
their own performance
 Friend/peers using and
achieving results
 Lack of progress
 Pressure from a
coach/country to win
 Psychological dependence
 A win-at-all costs mentality
 A belief they can get away
with it
 Financial rewards for
winning
 Fame

21. Considerations
 Coaches/trainers could be carful when providing
different substances (illegal and legal)
 Litigation is likely
 Athletes should weigh up the benefits and cost of
using these enhancers
 These medico-legal issues need to be considered

22. What happens when
you’re caught?
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhNjPDg9X5E