Ergogenics 1

Question 1

Explain the AIS supplement classification system (for sports)?

Answer 1

1. Group A (works: strong scientific evidence) e.g. caffeine
2. Group B (emerging scientific support, deserving in further research) e.g. curcumin
3. Group C (not supportive of benefit) e.g. magnesium
4. Group D (forbidden, or high risk of contamination) e.g. anabolic steroids

Question 2

What are two interesting developments in group B? Why?

Answer 2

1. menthol/ginger/pepper (activate CNS)
2. ketone supplements (fat burning, pos. focus/energy/mood, appetite suppresion, immune effects)

Question 3

Creatine belongs to group ….

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Creatine is a X-containing endogenous substance which is a precursor of X. It helps in the production of X

Answer 4

nitrogen
creatine-phosphate
PCr

Question 5

Creatine works when?

Answer 5

short and intense bursts of strenght (and speed)

Question 6

Creatine is not recommended for.. sports, because …

Answer 6

long distance etc. May keep water, increase weight

Question 7

What is meant with the ‘loading phase’ for creatine?

Answer 7

A plateau of creatine is reached by ingesting creatine in a couple of days

Question 8

What are the positive effects of creatine in sports (2)?

Answer 8

1. Improvement in short bouts of activities that require high levels of strength and power
2. Possibly beneficial to preventing injury

Question 9

What are three side-effects of creatine?

Answer 9

• Weight gain (1-2 kg, rapid) (disadvantage in endurance athletes and in continuous- type exercise interspersed with high- intensity exercise (e.g., football, basketball, etc).
• Muscle cramps (sometimes)
• GI disturbances

Question 10

In what group does caffeine belong?

Answer 10

A

Question 11

Beneficial effects of caffeine on what types of sport?

Answer 11

different types of sports (endurance, stop-and-go types, high intensity)
* Effects on “acute / single event” types of sport less clear

Question 12

What are mechanisms by which caffeine could work?

Answer 12

● Induction of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release,
● Inhibition of phosphodiesterase isoenzymes (see slide on β-agonists) leading to cAMP
● Adenosine receptor antagonist
 Most consensus : central stimulant

Question 13

In what category does beetroot belong?

Answer 13

A

Question 14

What is the useful substance in beetroot?

Answer 14

Works by the production of nitric oxide (NO). Does many things. Nitrate needs to be converted into NO.

Question 15

What types of positive effects does nitrate (beetroot) cause?

Answer 15

• Vasodilation
• Angiogenesis
• Mitochondrial respiration & biogenesis
• Glucose uptake
• Ca2+ handling

Question 16

What do these NO effects result in? In what groups are they mostly seen?

Answer 16

 Fatigue resistance, exercise efficiency, exercise performance. Not a LOT of difference.
 Effects mainly seen in submaximal exercise and non- professional endurance athletes (rowing, running, cycling also team sports)

Question 17

Anabolic steroids: what are they?

Answer 17

androgens or androgen-derived Steroids
Steroids (androgen = any natural or synthetic steroid hormone that regulates the development and maintenance of male characteristics)

Question 18

Besides testosterone, anastrazole and finasteride, which are used against cancer, are also steroids. Why?

Answer 18

Anastrazole: (anti-oestrogen: inhibits testosterone conversion) > doping
Finasteride: used against prostate cancer > doping (inhibits conversion of testosterone)