Drugs in sport

Question 1

what are the social reasons for athletes taking performing enhancement drugs

Answer 1

• reach expectations
• pressure on athlete
• keep up with competitors
• makes life easier
• increases finances

Question 2

what are the psychological reasons for athletes taking performing enhancement drugs

Answer 2

• to enhance aggression and performance
• reduce anxiety

Question 3

what are the 3 most common illegal drugs taken by athletes

Answer 3

• erythropoietin (EPO)
• anabolic steroids
• beta blockers

Question 4

what is EPO + who would take it

Answer 4

hormone created by kidneys, taking more will increase a performers endurance at high intensity

who:
- marathon runners
- endurance athletes

Question 5

what is anabolic steroids + who would take it

Answer 5

hormone including testosterone that is artificially created to increase protein synthesis within skeletal muscles

who:
- weight lifters
- rugby players
- sprinters
- power athletes

Question 6

what are beta blockers + who would take it

Answer 6

prevents the affect of adrenaline from binding to receiving receptors

who:
- archery
- snooker
- darts
- pool
- shooting
- gymnastics

Question 7

advantages and disadvantages of EPOs

Answer 7

advantages:
- increases RBC count
- greater o2 transport
- faster recovery
- greater aerobic capacity
- increased resistance to fatigue
- greater aerobic performance

disadvantages:
- increase thickness of blood
- increase heart strain
- infection
- heart attack/stroke

Question 8

advantages and disadvantages of anabolic steroids

Answer 8

advantages:
- increase muscle protein synthesis
- increase muscle mass
- increase power production
- increase strength
- faster recovery
- better body composition

disadvantages:
- acne
- increase risk of heart attack
- liver damage
- mood swings
- increase risk of stroke

Question 9

advantages and disadvantages of beta blockers

Answer 9

advantages:
- improves accuracy
- decrease anxiety
- decrease heart rate
- decrease hand trembles
- decrease muscle spasms

disadvantages:
- tiredness
- low blood pressure
- decrease aerobic capacity
- weakness
- upset stomach

Question 10

consequences on using illegal drugs on performer

Answer 10

• health complications
• loss of revenue through reduced sponsors
• reputation becomes damaged
• loss of role model status
• medals and titles can be stripped
• fines or bans from sport
• negative press
• psychological problems
• mood swings
• depression

Question 11

consequences on using illegal drugs on sport

Answer 11

• negative press, impact reputation
• culture of drug use can develop
• commercial revenue reduced
• sponsorships pull out
• reduced up take of sport

Question 12

4 strategies to reduce drug use

Answer 12

1. WADA ‘world anti-doping agency’ detect drug use
2. random drug testings/sampling can be before, after or during competition
3. new laboratory testing techniques to keep up with new developing drugs
4. education on negative affects and consequences on taking drugs

Question 13

why is it difficult to implement the strategies of stopping drug use in sport

Answer 13

1. required a lot of money and research
2. some drugs can be said were taken for medical use
3. difficult to convince athletes that alternative legal methods and traditional sport values are more ethical to achieve success
4. there are procedures and regulations implemented by sports and countries on sport drug use

Question 14

points on for and against drug use in sport

Answer 14

for drugs:
- strategies used to eliminate drugs are expensive and time consuming
- money on testing can be better spent
- if everyone took them it would be fair
- medical use of drugs
- detection not always effective
- drug monitoring would reduce health risk

against drugs:
- cheating and illegal
- creates negative role models
- richer athletes and countries can afford these drugs
- success should be based on traditional values of sport
- creates negative image on sport
- can reduce participation rates