EPO Flashcards
What is EPO
EPO is a naturally occurring protein hormone produced by the cells in the kidneys. It leads to the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
Without EPO?
The body can’t produce the red blood cells needed to carry out normal functions.
How to the kidneys use EPO
When oxygen is low in the body they release EPO this stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood
EPO originally used for?
Aid anaemia it can also be medically used for renal failure, cancer and pre/post surgery to reduce the need for a blood transfusion.
How the red blood cells carry gasses
Red blood cells carry gasses around the body. They carry oxygen to the lungs and carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation.
More red blood cells?
More red blood cells in bloodstream the more oxygen there is available to the body and the faster the body can get rid of excess carbon dioxide.
This results in increased endurance and decreases fatigue.
Sports that mainly use EPO
Endurance athletes i.e swimming, cycling, rowing and running. All these types of sports benefit from the aerobic respiration improvements that using EPO gives.
Aerobic exercise
Is sometimes known as cardio. This type of exercise requires heavy pumping of oxygenated blood by the heart to deliver oxygen to working muscles.
EPO benefits
Allows better stamina and better carbon dioxide removal because there are more red blood cells the body can remove carbon dioxide faster.
EPO Improves…
The athletes performance so that they can achieve the same results as that of an athlete who has been training for several years but not using EPO.
EPO has no effect on…
On muscle mass or blood vessel growth. Unlike other PEDs such as steroids, EPO does not enhance body image and is only used to enhance performance in endurance sports.
EPO has been known to..
Enhance the risk of dehydration as the increased red blood cells make the blood thicker. Raising the chances of a heart attack and/or stroke.
Example of EPO doping
Lance Armstrong was a professional cyclist who used EPO to gain an unfair advantage against his competitors. He used the illegal technique to win seven consecutive Tour de France’s after recovering from testicular cancer. He was found to be doping and stripped of his seven medals and is now banned from cycling.
