Ergogenic Aids Flashcards
1
Q
Name the three pharmacological aids
A
Anabolic steroids
Erythropoietin (EPO)
Human growth hormone
2
Q
Name the three physiological aids
A
Blood doping Intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) Cooling aids(pre+post)
3
Q
Name the nutritional aids
A
Food volume/timing Hydration Carbo-loading Creating Caffeine Bicarbonate Nitrate
4
Q
Anabolic steroids legal status
A
illegal
5
Q
Anabolic steroids description
A
Artificial synthetic drugs which mimics natural male hormone testosterone
Taken via: injection, orally via pill, patches, gels or creams rubbed on skin
6
Q
Potential benefits of anabolic steroids
A
- Increased growth of muscle mass, strength and power
- Increased promotion of synthesis of protein speeding up muscle repair and recovery
- Allows increased quantity, intensity and duration of training
- Increased recovery from strain and injury
- Increased aggression useful in some sports
7
Q
Potential risks of anabolic steroids(everyone)
A
Increased risk of permanent liver damage and cancer
Increased blood pressure
Increased LDL cholesterol
Decreased HDL cholesterol
Increased feeling of paranoia, irritability, acne, aggressiveness, violence, dramatic mood swings
8
Q
Risks of anabolic steroids for females
A
Facial hair Deep voice Enlarged genitals Breast reduction Disrupted menstrual cycle
9
Q
Risks of anabolic steroids for males
A
Atrophy of testicles Decreased sperm count Impotence Baldness Enlarged prostate gland Breast enlargement Pain urinating
10
Q
Who benefits from anabolic steroids?
A
High intensity, short duration performers such as weightlifters and sprinters
Used by injured performers to speed up recovery and repair of injuries
11
Q
Erythroprotein legal status
A
illegal
12
Q
EPO description
A
Synthetic protein stimulating rbc growth
Alternative to blood doping
Is a peptide hormone naturally produced by kidneys
Stimulates bone marrow to increase rbc production
Plasma infusions common alongside EPO to prevent hyper-viscosity in blood
Has enormous benefit in the treatment of anaemia
Urine tests show levels of rbc’s above norm values
13
Q
Potential benefits of EPO
A
Increased haematocrit
Increased total rbc volume of 45% to 65%
Increased haemoglobin levels which increases o2 transport to muscles which increases o2 uptake
Increase in aerobic performance
Increased energy delivered and delayed fatigue for aerobic performance
14
Q
EPO potential risks
A
Increase blood viscosity
Increased risk of blood clotting which can lead to heart failure/stroke
Increased danger if body becomes dehydrated as this decreases plasma volume which further increases blood viscosity
Misuse can lead to auto-immune disease with serious health consequences
15
Q
Who benefits from EPO?
A
Endurance athletes relying on good o2 transport to the muscles
16
Q
Human growth hormone legal status
A
illegal
17
Q
Human growth hormone description
A
Injected/ingested in the form of pills, suppositories or creams
HGH is synthetic hormone that mimics a natural growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland which stimulates growth of cartilage, muscle and bone
Difficult to detect between synthetic and natural form as natural levels of HGH vary massively due to diet, stress, sleep and exercise
18
Q
Potential benefit of HGH
A
Increase muscle mass and strength
Increased training intensity
Increased recovery(conflicting evidence for all of above three)
Increased production of cartilage cells
Increased bone growth/density
Increased healing of soft tissues
Increased metabolism of protein, fat and carbohydrates
Therefore increased breakdown of fats leading to decreased fat mass
19
Q
Potential risks of HGH
A
Increased hypertrophy of internal organs
Increased risk of diabetes
Increased bon thickening leading to deformities
Increase of glucose intolerance
Increased size of organs leading to an increased risk of potentially life threatening diseases
Increased cancer risk due to abnormal growth of cells
20
Q
Who benefits from HGH
A
Used mostly by power/sprint performers
Performers undertaking regular high intensity training requiring lots of soft tissues repair
21
Q
Blood doping legal status
A
illegal
22
Q
Blood doping description
A
Removing and storing of blood 4-6 weeks PRE - performance and re-infused hours before performance
Two different ways:
Autologous - transfusion of one’s own blood which is stored and re-infused later
Homologous - transfusion of another persons blood
Recent resurgence due to the introduction of efficient EPO detection methods
23
Q
Potential benefits of blood doping
A
Increased total volume of rbc’s (20%)
Increased haemoglobin levels
Increased HbO2 transport to muscles increasing O2 uptake
Increased energy delivered and delayed fatigue for aerobic performance
24
Q
Potential risks of blood doping
A
Increased blood viscosity and decreased HR, blood flow and cardiac output can overload the cardiovascular system leading to clotting, heart failure and strokes
Increased risk of HIV if Homologous blood doping is used
Increased risk if dehydrated due to decreased plasma volume further increasing blood viscosity forcing the heart to work harder
25
Who benefits from blood doping?
Endurance/aerobic performers who rely on the supply of O2 to the muscles
26
Intermittent hypoxic training legal status
legal
27
Description of IHT
IHT involves short intervals (4-6mins) of breathing hypoxic air (low pp of O2) interspersed with similar length intervals inhaling ambient air
Replicates altitude training drug free
Can be done using: sleep tents, chambers and non invasive pulse oximetry masks
28
Who benefits from IHT?
All athletes requiring pre - acclimatisation
| All athletes wishing to increase O2 transport to increase performance at sea level
29
Potential benefits of IHT?
Increased performance and duration with delayed fatigue
Increased ability to buffer lactate and delay onset of blood lactate accumulation(OBLA)
Increased defence against oxidative stress
Increased O2 transport systems due to increased rbc's
Increased natural EPO production
Pre-acclimatisation to high altitudes
Decreased mountain sickness and fatigue, recovery time after aerobic and anaerobic
30
Potential risks of IHT?
Reversibility-Benefits gained are quickly lost if IHT stops
Increased dehydration
Decreased work rate during IHT
Disrupts normal training habits
Altitude domes/tents with nitrogen inflow create a potential life-threatening low arterial O2 saturation below safe 70%
Must have safety cut offs to prevent above
31
Colling aids legal status
legal
32
Description of cooling aids pre exercise
Can be done by ice/cooling vests or soaked/towels/headbands
Critical core temp(Tc) exists after which athletes must decrease intensity or risk heat illness
Advisable 10-30 mins before prolonged exercise in hot temperatures
Best to start exercise with cooler body Tc as possible by pre-cooling to increase margin between starting and critical Tc
33
Potential benefits of cooling aids pre exercise
Decreases and maintains Tc and decreases thermal strain
Decreases dehydration enabling athletes to draw on reserves later in performance
Decreases CV-drift
Pre-cooling reduces need to increase Q to skin to help reduce Tc which maintains Q to muscles during exercise
34
Potential risks of cooling aids pre exercise
Potential heat illness if not used
Metabolic and CV responses can be decreased during initial 15 min of exercise, decreased HR and perceived exertion and may lead to working above target zones and pace
Used on chest region may cause increased angina pain from constriction of coronary arteries
Not used by hypertensive as vasoconstriction may increase Bp
Decreases efficiency of vasoconstriction/dilation
35
Who benefits from cooling aids pre exercise
Mainly endurance performers but anyone exercising in hot environments where body temperature regulation more of an issue e.g. cricket
36
Description of cooling aids post exercise
Used for injury treatment and post event recovery
Sprays, ice packs/gels/baths and cold water immersion
Injury specific-Ice packs/gels applied to specific body area
Some research suggests cool CWI (6 degrees) better than iced water
37
Potential benefits of cooling aids post exercise
Increased speed muscle repair/recovery
Decreased muscle soreness (DOMS)
Decreased pain at rest, decreased pain on stretch and decreased post active ROM due to
1.Decreased anti inflammatory response
2.Decreased swelling due to constriction of blood vessels
3.Increased pain tolerance due to decreased nerve conduction velocity
38
Who benefits from cooling aids post exercise
All performers with soft tissue injuries, DOMS, undertaking contact e.g. rugby players
After high intensity/repeated exercise bouts to speed up their recovery process after exercise
39
Potential risks of cooling aids post exercise
Ice burns if applied for 10+mins directly to skin
Ice may hide/complicate nerve impingement injuries
Do not use with hypertensive as vasoconstriction may increase Bp and decrease efficiency of vasoconstriction/dilation of elderly people
May decrease the inflammatory response responsible for initiating and resolving skeletal muscle injury
Increased stress hormones for 60 mins post cold water immersion which are catabolic which decreases positive training adaptations
40
Food volume/timing legal status
legal
41
Description pre event food v/t
3-6 hrs pre event ingest 1-4g per kg of body mass of complex CHO's
1-2 hrs pre event ingest simple CHO's(high glucose)
42
Benefits of pre food v/t
Maintain and top up liver/muscle and blood glucose/glycogen stores
Decrease glycogen depletion delaying fatigue
43
Risks of pre food v/t
Rebound hypoglycaemia: low blood glucose levels when ingesting CHO's 1hr-15min pre to exercise
Food remains in gut therefore increased risk of nausea/cramping/stomach upset
decreased CHO store limiting fuel for exercise
44
Who benefits from pre food v/t
```
Endurance performers (60+mins) benefit most from 3-6hr pre meal
All performers fuelled by glycogen/glucose as main energy source benefit from 1/2 hr meal
```
45
Description of food v/t during exercise
Ingesting frequent/small amounts of simple CHO's when activity
ACSM suggests 60+ min activity to eat 30-60 g CHO's an hr
46
Benefits of food v/t during exercise
Maintain/replace vital glycogen/blood glucose stores
Decrease glycogen depletion and delay fatigue
Especially activity of 45+mins as prevents increased use of fats as energy fuel
47
Risks/negatives of food v/t during exercise
If not consumed-No CHO's during increases glycogen depletion and increases use of fats which decreases exercise intensity
No need to ingest CHO's if activity is less than 45mins
48
Who benefits from food volume/timing during exercise
All performers when the activity is 45+ minutes
| Increase carbs in longer duration events
49
Description of post event food v/t
Ingest 1g per kg of body mass per hour within two hours
4:1 ratio of CHO and protein in 1st 2 hours post endurance exercise
Liquid or solid forms of fast-digesting CHO's
50
Benefits of post food v/t
Increased speed of glycogen store recovery
CHOs stores during short duration exercise replenished in a 2/3 hrs
Glycogen synthesis increases in 2hr window after exercise
51
Risks of post food v/t
Can take up to 48hrs post exhaustive activity so must use two hr window
Activity suppresses appetite and increases thirst so use hypertonic sports drinks
52
Who benefits from post food v/t
Any performer using glycogen/glucose as an energy source
| Important for athletes competing/training the next day
53
Hydration legal status
legal
54
Description of hydration
Hydration achieved by drinking water and sports drinks as well as 20% in food
H2O makes up to 60% male and 50% female body weight
Thirst mechanism does not match our hydration state so its best to consume increased fluid than thirst dictates
55
Potential benefits of hydration
Maintaining hydration and decreased risk of dehydration during prolonged exercise
Regulates Tc: water dissipates excess heat during exercise
Maintains blood volume: Bp, plasma and transport of O2/CO2/glucose/nutrients to muscles
Optimizes CV function
Isotonic drinks also help maintains electrolytes and efficient muscle function
Glucose rich sports drinks also maintain blood glucose levels
56
Who benefits from hydration?
All athletes in all contexts both aerobic/ anaerobic
Endurance athletes can sustain increased high intensity work when hydrated
Increased importance in endurance or high temperature activities where increased fluid loss occurs
Dehydration has decreased impact on anaerobic activity
57
Risks associated with hydration
No hydration: Decreased blood volume, deceased cardiac output to skin/muscles which increases stress on heart and increased HR, increased viscosity of blood, decreased electrolytes, decreased muscle function, decreased ability to sweat/regulate Tc leading to increased Tc and heat stress, increased OBLA-muscle fatigue/cramps
Hyponatremia: increased water volume decreased sodium levels in blood leading to increased fatigue
58
Pre execise hydration strategies
No RDA but adequate intake is approximately 3.7 litres/day for men and 2.7 litres/day for women
Exercise should be started when fully or hyperhydrated
Drink 0.4-0.6L 2-3hrs before to ensure a moderate of water in the stomach
If exercise is being done in hot conditions then an additional 0.25-0.5L should be consumed within two hours of exercise
If exercise is longer than 60 mins consume CHO sport drink along with water
Drink 0.3-0.5L of water/CHO sports drink 15-30 min prior to delay fatigue and prevent dehydration
59
During hydration strategy for exercise less than 60 mins
Muscle and liver glycogen stores are sufficient for optimal performance and only water needs to be consumed during exercise: consume 1.8-2.4L of cold water every 15 min to maintain hydration
60
Hydration strategy during exercise lasting for more than 90 mins
Increased risk of hypoglycaemia or dehydration so both water and CHO required
Consume 1.5-3L of a CHO/water drink every 15-20min to optimise performance
Water prevents dehydration, CHO prevent glycogen depletion to prevent onset of fatigue
Electrolyte sodium helps the body retain fluid and stimulates the drive to drink more fluid
Some electrolytes are lost during exercise like sodium and chloride which are lost via sweat
61
Post exercise hydration strategy
Studies show that athletes do not voluntarily rehydrate after exercise and need to have a plan to replenish water, electrolytes and CHO's lost during exercise
Immediately after and for the next 6-8hrs, rehydration is vital so athletes do not begin the next training session or competition is a dehydrated state
Generally an athlete should drink 1-1.5L times the water lost through sweating
Sodium is beneficial as its presence influences the body to retain fluid and drive to drink it
Sodium and water are found in sports beverages, but sodium is low so athletes can also lightly salt their food
62
What is an isotonic drink
5-8% glucose, same as body's blood glucose
63
What is a hypertonic drink
15% glucose, higher than body's blood glucose
64
What is a hypotonic drink
4% glucose, lower than body's blood glucose
65
Benefits of isotonic sports drinks
Tops up CHO's
Replenishes fluid and electrolytes
Increased absorption/rehydration
66
Negatives of isotonic sports drinks
Slower absorption than hypotonic
67
Benefits of hypertonic sports drinks
increased replenishment of CHO stores/electrolytes post exercise
68
Negatives of hypertonic sports drinks
Slowest absorption and increased dehydration
| decreased performance during activity
69
Benefits of hypotonic sports drinks
Quickest absorption and rehydration
| Vital during prolonged exercise or in heat when hydration is more important than CHO replenishment
70
Negatives of hypotonic sports drinks
Not beneficial for any activity longer than 45 mins requiring more CHO
71
Who benefits from isotonic sports drinks
Middle/long distance team/racquet games during exercise lasting longer than 45 mins
72
Who benefits from hypertonic sports drinks
All performers but mostly endurance athletes e.g. iron man or triathletes
73
Who benefits from hypotonic sports drinks
Athletes requiring H2O in preference to CHO's
| Activity less than 45 mins or in hot conditions
74
CHO loading legal status
legal
75
Description of CHO loading
Classic method:
Depletion phase-4 to 7 before: exercise as normal on a decreased CHO increased fat/protein diet
loading phase: Increased CHO loading 1-4 days prior to performance ingesting increased CHO/protein diet with a decreased training load
Modern method:
No depletion phase
Loading phase-only 1 to 4 days pre event ingest increased diet high in CHO's with tapered training
76
Benefits of CHO loading
Increased activity of enzyme glycogen synthase which: increases glycogen synthesis, increased glycogen storage which increases endurance capacity and delays fatigue
increased performance at a higher intensity
No benefit for activity less than 30-40mins duration
77
Potential risks of CHO
Disruption of an athlete's normal pre-event routine
Post depletion phase:
negative psychological effects, feel irritable, hypoglycaemia(decreased blood glucose)
Loading phase:
Increased weight due to increased water retention needed to store to increased glycogen store
Decreased power to weight ratio
78
Who benefits from CHO loading
Long duration aerobic performers over 60/90 mins
All day event(e.g. rugby sevens tournaments)
Any performer reliant upon glycogen as primary energy fuel
79
Creatine legal status
legal
80
Creatine description
Naturally found in liver/kidneys and converted into phosphocreatine and stored in small amounts in muscles
PC provides quickest source of energy to resynthesize ATP for muscle contractions
Found naturally in meats but creatine supplements used in synthetic form as soluble tablet, capsule, powder
Dosage: 3-5g a day
1-2 weeks/months on and 1 week/month off
Dosage dependent upon your weight and volume of training, intensity and duration
81
Potential benefits of creatine
Increases PC stores by up to 50%
Increased recovery post high intensity training
Increased fat-free body mass
Increased intensity and duration of training
Increased hypertrophy
82
Potential risks of creatine
```
seems safe but long term effects unknown
Increased weight gain due to increased muscle water retention
Increase muscle cramps
increased gastro distress
Increased stress on organs
```
83
Who benefits from creatine
Intermittent/high volume/intensity short duration power athletes
Also benefits middle distance endurance athletes
84
Caffeine legal status
legal
85
Caffeine description
Was banned and on WADA watch list
Too much caffeine also has negative performance effect
Found in tea, coffee, soft drinks, cocoa, tablets and medications
Dosage: research unclear:
aerobic benefits: 1hr PRE-event 3-6mg/kg body mass 2-4 cups of coffee (75mg a cup)
86
Potential benefits from caffeine
Increased CNS stimulation leading to an increase in adrenilin which-
Increases cognitive awareness/concentration
Decreased fatigue/perceived effort
increased endurance /aerobic capacity
Increased breakdown of FFAs as energy fuel conserving important glycogen stores for sprints later in performance
Some research suggests caffeine increases endurance and decreased fatigue by acting as a stimulant
Research unclear and dose dependent
87
Caffeine potential risks
Excessive caffeine acts a diuretic which can: increase dehydration leading to decreased heat regulation, increased Bp/heat exhaustion, decreased performance
Serious side effects for some people: addictive, nausea, muscle tremors/cramps, headaches/anxiety, sleep disorders/insomnia
88
Who benefits from caffeine
Benefits for both aerobic and anaerobic performers
| Increased intensity/duration of training due to decreased perceived effort
89
Bicarbonate of soda legal status
legal
90
Bicarbonate of soda description
During aerobic exercise muscle blood CO2 and H2O are converted into HCO (bicarbonate) and hydrogen ions/H+ within rbc's
During anaerobic exercise H+ is produced faster than we can remove them (OBLA) which increases lactic acid, decreased pH, inhibits enzymes causing muscle fatigue
Bicarbonate of soda solution ingested 1-2hrs pre-activity increasing blood bicarbonate concentration during exercise
Increased bicarbonate in the blood neutralizes the effect of lactic acid to help maintain pH
91
Potential benefits of bicarbonate of soda
Increased tolerance to lactic acid
Increased blood alkalinity so that more lactate can be cleared therefore delaying OBLA
Increased anaerobic/lactate threshold
Increased intensity/duration performance before OBLA
Increased power at lactate threshold
92
Potential risks of bicarbonate of soda
Ingesting bicarbonate can cause severe intestinal distress
| Bloating, nausea, diarrhoea which itself decreases performance
93
Who benefits from bicarbonate of soda
Increased effect on anaerobic performers trying to increase speed/power/lactate threshold using high intensity workouts
94
Nitrate legal status
legal
95
Description of nitrate
Stored as nitrites and converted to nitric oxide a gas naturally produced by cells lining blood vessels
Sources: Beetroot and leafy greens
Most use dietary nitrate in liquid form of beetroot juice or sodium and potassium nitrate and with a final dosage 1-3hrs pre event
Most benefits observed after long term ingestion in high intensity activity and les fit performers
Increased benefits when intravenous administered with high dosage levels increased effectiveness if orally ingestion
96
Potential benefits of nitrate
NO released during exercise and functions to relax smooth muscle within blood vessel walls which:
increases vasodilation and increases blood flow
increases O2/nutrients to muscles
increased removal of LA and CO2 which delay OBLA fatigue
Decreased Bp and O2 cost of exercise
Increases HI work rate tolerance decreasing O2 uptake/Vo2 max during sub maximal work
all increasing O2 capacity and performance
97
Potential risks of nitrate
Low doses (less than 20g) well tolerated but high level (20g-30g) reported weakness, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, headaches
High doses intravenously administered may cause: decreased blood pressure with a high HR, decreased arterial resistance in the arms
Individuals with liver disease/kidney failure are advised against taking these supplements
Some link to gastric cancer
98
Who benefits from nitrates
Mostly endurance performance and those at higher work intensity
Also benefits anaerobic athletes
