Drugs In Sport Flashcards
What are the social reasons for taking drugs?
A win-at-all-costs attitude.
The fame and fortune attached to success at elite level.
The high levels of pressure to win from a variety of different sources such as coaches, family and spectators.
Lack of effective deterrents
Firm belief they will get away with it
Poor role models set a bad example - in some sports it’s viewed as being acceptable (e.g. cycling).
What are the psychological reasons for taking drugs?
Steady nerves - especially when fine motor control is needed
Increase aggression - mainly in high contact sports
Lack confidence
To raise their belief
To increase alternates and awareness
What is doping?
Refers to the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs by athletic competitors.
What are the types of illegal drug?
Anabolic steroids
Beta-blockers
EPO
What are anabolic steroids?
Artificially produced hormones, e.g. THG
What are the physiological benefits of anabolic steroids?
They aid the storage of protein and promote muscle growth and development of muscle tissue in the body.
Leads to increased strength and power.
They also lead to less fat in the muscle - a lean body weight.
They can improve the body’s capacity to train for longer at a higher intensity.
Decreases fatigue associated with training.
Who might use anabolic steroids?
Power athletes such as sprinters
What are the side effects of anabolic steroids?
Liver damage
Heart and immune system problems
Acne
Behaviour changes - aggression, paranoia, mood swings
What are beta-blockers?
Help to calm and individual down and decrease anxiety.
Counteracting the adrenaline that interferes with performance by preventing it from binding to nerve receptors.
What are the physiological benefits of beta blockers?
Improve accuracy and precision by steadying nerves
Calm performance anxiety and aid performance by keeping heart rate low and decreasing the tremble in the hands
They work by widening the arteries, allowing increased blood flow and reducing involuntary muscle spasms.
Who might use beta blockers?
Archery
Golf
What are the side effects of beta blockers?
Tiredness due to low blood pressure.
Slower heart rate which will affect aerobic capacity.
What is EPO?
A natural hormone produced by the kidneys to increase red blood cells.
Now it can be artificially manufactured to cause an increase in haemoglobin levels
What are the physiological benefits of EPO?
Stimulates red blood cell production which leads to an increase in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the body.
This can result in an increase in the amount of work performed.
It therefore increases endurance and delays the onset of fatigue.
An athlete can keep going for longer and recover more quickly from training.
Who might use EPO?
Endurance performers - long distance runner and cyclists - who need effective oxygen transport in order to succeed in their sport.
