ergogenic aids Flashcards
what is an ergogenic aid?
any substance or treatment that either directly improves physiological variables associated with exercise performance or removes subjective restraints that may limit physiological capacity
what are the three pharmacological ergogenic aids?
anabolic steroids
EPO
human growth hormone
what are anabolic steroids?
synthetic drugs designed to mimic effects of testosterone
they promote the synthesis of proteins and enhances muscle growth
allows increased frequency and duration of training and quicker recovery
side effects of anabolic steroids
- irritability
- mood swings
- agressive tendencies
- liver damage and heart failure
what’s EPO?
Erythropoietin
Another synthetic copy of a hormone produced by kidneys to stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
Recombinant EPO is used to produce more haemoglobin in the blood and aid oxygen carrying capacity.
Has same effect as ‘blood doping’ and
altitude training (more efficient use of O2)
It is Illegal.
dangers of using EPO
-Increased blood viscosity.
-Increased clotting potential.
-Increased risk for stroke and heart failure, or pulmonary edema.
what is human growth hormone?
-A synthetic product mimicking the hormone secreted by pituitary gland.
-Stimulates bone and muscle growth.
-Affects protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism.
-Leads to increased percentage of lean body mass.
side effect of using human growth hormone
-May lead to diabetes.
-Thickening of soft tissue in face, hands and feet.
-Enlargement of organs such as liver.
what are the three physiological ergogenic aids?
blood doping
intermittent hypoxic training (IHT)
cooling aids
what’s blood doping?
-The ILLEGAL practice of removing blood from the athlete about 3 – 4 weeks prior to performance
-The blood is frozen.
-Subsequent training replenishes lost blood
-2 hours before the event the extracted blood cells are re-injected in a saline solution
-Artificial increase in total volume of red blood cells (often via transfusion)
-Improves endurance performance by increasing blood’s O2- carrying capacity
-Increases VO2max, and measurable performance
risks of blood doping
it can cause
-blood clotting
-heart failure
-transfusion complications.
what is Intermittent Hypoxic Training?
Athletes don’t have to travel to training resorts at high altitude - they can train under hypoxic conditions whilst still living at sea level.
A mask supplying a limited PPO2 in the air breathed by the athlete is worn during aerobic training. The conditions are HYPOXIC allowing less oxygen to be inhaled per breath.
High intensity training can also increase mitochondrial density and lactate buffering capacity.
effects of Intermittent Hypoxic Training
Rate of aerobic adaptations are increased:
Haemoglobin volume.
Oxygen carrying capacity.
Aerobic energy production.
how can cooling aids be used before an event to help performance?
Cooling towels or ice vests can be used to reduce core body temperature in hot or humid training, performing conditions.
This helps to reduce THERMAL STRAIN and CARDIOVASCULAR DRIFT. This can help reduce sweating, dehydration and ultimately sustain aerobic performance.
how can cooling aids be used after a performance to improve recovery?
Ice baths are used to vaso-constrict blood vessels reducing blood flow. On exiting the bath the blood vessels vasodilate flushing the muscles with oxygen to help recovery. It can also help reduction of DELAYED ONSET OF MUSCULAR SORENESS.
