A.3 Flashcards
List five classes of non- nutritional ergogenic aids that are currently banned by the International Olympic
- Beta Blockers
- Anabolic steroids
- Diuretics and masking agents
- Stimulants
- Hormones and related substances such as EPO and human growth hormone
Discuss why pharmacological substances appear on the list of banned substances.
A substance or method is included in the WADA prohibited list if it meets any of these criteria:
- It has potential to enhance or enhances sport performance
- It represents a potential or actual risk to the health of the athlete
- It violates the spirit of the sport
Discuss the proposed and actual benefits that some athletes would hope to gain by using anabolic steroids, erythropoietin (EPO), beta blockers, caffeine and diuretics.
Anabolic steroids:
- Increased Muscle Mass and Strength
- Lower Body Fat
- Endurance Performance
- Ability to train more frequently and more intensely
- Weight Gain
Recombinant Erythropoietin (rEPO):
- Increased Oxygen Carrying Capacity of Blood
- Alterations in Cognitive Function
- Increased Exercise Capacity and Performance
Beta Blockers:
- Improved Precision and Accuracy and Reduced Symptoms of Anxiety
Diuretics and Masking agents:
- Weight Control
- Physical Appearance
- Hiding Illicit Substances
Caffeine:
- Improved endurance capacity
- Caffeine burns fat as fuel, sparing carb stores. (not much evidence for this)
- Caffeine enables muscles to contract with more force, due to a greater release of calcium
- Caffeine increases alertness
Outline the possible harmful effects of long-term use of anabolic steroids, EPO, beta blockers, caffeine and diuretics.
Caffeine:
- Caffeine is an addictive substance
- High doses have been associated with heart arrhythmias and mild hallucinations
- Possible links with risks in pregnancy, cancer, calcium level issues and bone health
Diuretics and masking agents: - Performance affecting symptoms- Fatigue Drowsiness Muscle Cramps Muscle Soreness
- Impaired thermoregulatory function-
Diuretics reduce the volume of plasma in the blood. - Electrolyte loss
Beta blockers:
-Brachycardia
Abnormally low heart rate
- Hypotension
Low blood pressure - Cardiac Failure
In those with underlying heart conditions - Hypoglycemia – low blood sugar
In type 2 diabetics - Heart Arrhythmias
Abnormal heart rhythm
Can be life threatening - Dizziness or light headedness
Due to low blood pressure
Anabolic steroids:
- Increased LDL cholesterol
- shrinkage of testicles
- Disruption to menstrual cycle
- Liver cancer
- Increases occurrence of acne
- Depression
- Mood changes
rEPO:
- Increased blood pressure
- Viscosity of blood could lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure or heart attack