Drugs In Sport

Question 1

What are the advantages of taking beta blockers and what sporting activity would they be used for?

Answer 1

Beta blockers block the affects of adrenaline, slowing the sympathetic nervous system, slowing heart rate and lowering blood pressure. Used in sporting activities that require accuracy and precision and a steady hand such as archery, shooting and snooker.

Question 2

What is EPO?

Answer 2

A naturally occurring hormone produced in the kidney, stimulating red blood cell production but artificially taken by endurance performers such as marathon runners to increase red blood cell count, aerobic endurance and thus VO2 max, fatiguing later in the race. Increases oxygen carrying capacity and more o2 delivered to muscles.

Question 3

What are anabolic steroids?

Answer 3

Artificially produced hormones such as synthetic steroid hormone, resembles testosterone via promoting the growth of muscle- aids storage of protein and promotes muscle growth hence increase in strength and anerobic power. Leaner body weight can improve sprint performance and ability to train at higher intensity for longer.

Question 4

Describe the physiological reasons why a performer may use anabolic steroids (3 marks)

Answer 4

-Aid storage of protein
-Decrease of fat in the muscles
-Able to train for longer at a higher intensity
-Faster recovery time, able to train more frequently and quicker repair of muscle tissues
-Increase of muscle size/strength and mass

Question 5

What are the positive effects of anabolic steroids?

Answer 5

Increase in muscle mass, bone density, protein synthesis- more muscular hypertrophy and power