AOS 1: performance enhancement

Question 1

Legal practices and methods

Answer 1

• Does not violate the WADA code
• Does not threaten the health or safety of the individual
• Provides a measurable performance enhancement

Question 2

Training

Answer 2

Training can bring about a variety of significant physiological changes, which allow the body to perform at a higher level and/or with greater efficiency.

Question 3

Resistance training

Answer 3

Any form of exercise that causes skeletal muscles to contract against an external form of resistance.

Resistance training aims to increase strength, tone, power, mass and/or endurance.

Question 4

Benefits of resistance training

Answer 4

• Prevent and manage chronic disease
• Strengthened axial and appendicular musculoskeletal systems
• Increased range of motion
• Improved mobility
• Decreased risk of injury

Question 5

Flexibility training

Answer 5

Flexibility training involves activities and movements that move a joint or muscle through its full range of motion.

Flexibility work can be incorporated into a pre-exercise warm-up and during a cool-down. Stretching is a common form of flexibility training.

Question 6

Benefits of flexibility training

Answer 6

• Reduced muscle soreness
• Improved posture
• Enabling pain-free exercise

Question 7

Core strength training

Answer 7

Core strength training involves exercises that target the muscles deep within the abdominals and back, attaching to the spine or pelvis.

Question 8

Benefits of core strength training

Answer 8

• Decreased risk of injury- particularly the lower back
• Improved balance
• Improved transfer of power between lower and upper body

Question 9

Nutritional supplements

Answer 9

Any pill, capsule, tablet, liquid or powder that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or amino acids; intended to increase dietary intake of these substances.

Question 10

Protein supplementation

Answer 10

Protein supplements are popular with athletes as they provide concentrated amounts of high quality protein that is easily consumed after training or competition.

Question 11

Benefits of protein supplements

Answer 11

• Promotes glycogen synthesis
• Provides raw material for muscle growth and repair

Many nutritionists believe that adequate protein can be consumed through a healthy and balanced diet.

Question 12

Creatine

Answer 12

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in skeletal muscles that assists in the regeneration of ATP. It is created through daily intake of foods such as meat, fish and poultry.

Question 13

Creatine supplementation

Answer 13

Athletes involved in high intensity, explosive power activities may use creatine monohydrate supplements to improve muscular power. It is thought that supplementation increases muscular stores of creatine phosphate, allowing athletes to work at a high intensity for a longer duration.

Question 14

Possible side-effects of creatine supplements

Answer 14

• Weight gain due to fluid retention
• Cramps

Question 15

Illegal practices and methods

Answer 15

• Violates the WADA code
• Threatens the health or safety of the individual
• Provides an unfair advantage over other competitors

Question 16

Anabolic steroids

Answer 16

Anabolic steroids are synthetic drugs that imitate the effects of naturally occurring testosterone.

Athletes who take anabolic steroids do so to increase muscle bulk, power and strength.

Question 17

Achieved by:

Answer 17

• Increasing protein synthesis
• Blocking the hormones that cause muscle tissue to break down
• Reducing recovery time between “heavy” training session

Question 18

Harms of anabolic steroids

Answer 18

• Tendon injury
• Fluid retention
• Liver damage
• Mood swings and depression
• Hypertension
• Acne (face and back)

Question 19

Harms for males: (AS)

Answer 19

• Possible infertility
• Baldness
• Development of breast tissue
• Testicular atrophy

Question 20

Harms for females: (AS)

Answer 20

• Menstrual problems
• Increased body and facial hair
• Deepening of the voice

Question 21

Growth hormones

Answer 21

Human growth hormone (hGH) is a peptide hormone that is naturally produced by the pituitary gland. This hormone determines the height, bone and muscle growth of the individual.

Athletes who take hGH do so with the belief that it will increase muscle strength and therefore, athletic performance.

Question 22

Proposed benefits (hGH)

Answer 22

• Enhanced muscle and bone development
• Increased muscle size and strength
• Reduced recovery time
• Increased healing time from injury

Question 23

Harms (hGH)

Answer 23

• Hypertension
• Hairniness
• Cardiac disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Joint and bone pains
• Fluid retention

Question 24

Ethical considerations

Answer 24

Using an illegal method poses moral and ethical questions for those involved in sport.

It is generally thought that if the substance or method “violates the spirit of sport”, it is unethical to use it for performance enhancing purposes.

Question 25

WADA

Answer 25

The WADA anti-doping code aims to:
- Protect the fundamental right of athletes to participate in sport free of doping
- Promote health and safety for athletes
- Promote fairness and equality for athletes worldwide

Question 26

Criteria

Answer 26

WADA have created a prohibited list that include substances and methods that satisfy two of the following three criteria:
- It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance
- It represents an actual or potential health risk to the athlete
- It violates the spirit of sport

Question 27

Sociocultural considerations

Answer 27

Sociocultural influences come from the power structures and relationships within society and the culture that creates shared ways of thinking and doing things.

Question 28

sociocultural influences on athletes

Answer 28

• Income
• Education
• Influence of self, family and/or peers
• Influence of coaches and sporting organisations
• Cultural norms in society or the particular sporting culture
• National and political ideology