Chapter 14: Methods Of Enhancing Performance

Question 1

-What is an ergogenic aid?
-Describe physiological aids
-Describe nutritional aids
-Describe mechanical aids
Describe pharmacalogical and hormonal aids
-Describe psychological aids

Answer 1

• A substance/technique which improves performance by increasing work capacity or delaying fatigue.
• Physiological processes that enhance the body naturally eg altitude training, physiotherapy and illegal drug processes like blood doping.
• Edible substances eg creatine, caffeine and sport drinks
• Products designed to improve energy and biomechanical efficiency eg specialised equipment and clothing.
• A range of substances mostly illegal when taken for the purpose of improving sport performance eg steroids and human growth hormone.
• Activities and skills used to improve mental strength eg visualisation and goal setting.

Question 2

• What is creatine?

- What are anabolic steroids? Include benefits, common sports and side effects.

Answer 2

• A natural compound formed in protein metabolism that helps to supply energy to all cells in the body, primarily muscle.
• Derivatives of testosterone that causes the development of male sex characteristics. They work by stimulating protein synthesis and reduce muscle breakdown allowing athletes to increase muscle bulk, strength and recover faster. Common in aths. Side affects include facial hair and acne.

Question 3

• What are stimulants?
• Give an examples of natural and non-natural stimulants.
• What are the 3 types of stimulants?
• Describe peptides in terms of 3 physiological changes, 3 benefits, common sports used in and side affects
• Describe caffeine in terms of 2 physiological changes, 2 benefits, common sports used in and side affects.
• What are 5 symptoms of over-training?

Answer 3

• Substances which act on the CNS to speed up parts of the brain and body, which lead to being more alert, reduce tiredness and improve aggression.
• Natural: adrenaline. Non-natural: cocain
• Amphetamines, cocain and caffeine.
• Peptides promote tissue repair, increase metabolism and break down fat to build protein. It’s benefits include less detectable, quick recovery and train harder. Used in AFL, rugby. Side effects include pituitary gland becomes ‘lazy’ and stops producing natural HGH.
• Caffeine improves metabolism of fatty acids and increased utilisation of fat as an exercise fuel. It’s benefits are improved muscle contractibility and concentration. Used in most sports and side effects include increased heart rate.
• Increased incidence of injury, decreased motivation, feeling tired, decrease in performance and muscle soreness.