Doping and drugs in sport

Question 1

What is deviance?

Answer 1

Deviance is unacceptable behaviour that differs from social or legal norms.

Question 2

What is blood doping?

Answer 2

1. A process that increases a person’s RBC count.
2. More RBCs therefore more haemoglobin.
3. Extra oxygen can be transported to working muscles.
4. Allows higher level of performance.
5. Used by endurance athletes e.g. runners.

Question 3

What are performance enhancing drugs?

Answer 3

1. Anabolic steroids, allow athletes to train harder for longer, and often increase strength and aggression.
2. Beta blockers, control heart rate and keep an athlete calm.
3. Stimulants, increase alertness e.g. amphetamines.

Question 4

Why do elite performers use doping and illegal drugs?

Answer 4

1. Pressure to succeed can affect a performer’s judgement and decision making.
2. Pressure from coaches.
3. Political pressures, e.g. Russian doping scandal.
4. High monetary rewards for winning and lucrative sponsorship deals.
5. Some performers think ‘everyone else is doing it’

Question 5

What are societal consequences of drug taking in sport?

Answer 5

Society seen as corrupt and full of unethical citizens who will do anything to ‘win at all costs’.

Question 6

What are sporting consequences of drug taking in sport?

Answer 6

1. Concept of fair play is severely challenged.
2. Cheating, unfair outcomes
3. Sports become ‘tainted’, struggling to gain sponsorship e.g. cycling, loss of public support.

Question 7

What are performer’s consequences of drug taking in sport?

Answer 7

1. Severe dangers to health and well-being.

2. Possible death.

Question 8

What are strategies to stop doping and illegal drugs?

Answer 8

1. WADA draws up a list of banned substances and provides assistance to countries’ own anti-doping programmes and funds research.
2. Drug testing can be carried out in and out of competitions.
3. Drug education can be provided for athletes and coaches.
4. A culture of keeping sport free from drugs and cheats should be created and reinforced.
5. Punishments for drug use are to be more vigorous and longer. WADA doubled ban in 2015.

Question 9

What are advantages of legal supplements?

Answer 9

1. Dietary supplements can help build increase stamina and help maintain weight
2. Ergogenic aids claim to increase strength, performance and recovery. Creatine supplements can help performance during high-intensity exercise.
3. Staying hydrated through drinking water or energy drinks can improve performance.

Question 10

What are disadvantages of legal supplements?

Answer 10

1. Some supplements may not be what they seem or could contained banned substances.
2. Health implications over long-term use of creatine supplements have been suggested e.g. effects on digestive system and increased cancer risk.
3. Energy drinks contain high levels of sugar, contributing to obesity and tooth decay.
4. Philosophical argument, it is not in the spirit of fair play.