Ethics in sport Flashcards
What are anabolic steroids?
Artificially produced hormones e.g. THG.
Why are anabolic steroids used?
Aid in the storage of protein and promote muscle growth and development of muscle tissue.
This increases strength and power.
They also lead to less fat in the muscle, so a lean body weight.
They can improve the body’s capacity to train for longer at higher intensity and decrease fatigue.
What are the side effects of anabolic steroids?
Liver damage, heart and immune system problems.
Acne and behaviour changes such as aggression, paranoia and mood swings.
What are beta blockers?
Help to calm individual down and decrease adrenaline by preventing it from binding to nerve receptors.
Why are beta blockers used?
They can increase accuracy and precision by steadying nerves.
They keep heart rate low and decrease the tremble in hands.
They widen arteries, allowing increased blood flow and reducing involuntary muscle spasms.
What are the side effects of beta blockers?
Tiredness due to low blood pressure and slower heart rate.
This will effect aerobic capacity.
What is EPO?
A natural hormone produced by the kidneys to increase red blood cells.
It can be artificially manufactured to increase haemoglobin levels.
Why is EPO used?
Stimulates red blood cell production which increases oxygen carrying capacity.
This increases the amount of work performed.
It therefore increases endurance and delays fatigue.
What are the side effects of EPO?
Can cause blood clotting, strokes and even death.
What are the social reasons for drug taking?
Win at all cost attitude.
The fame and fortune attached to success.
High pressure to win from coaches, family and the media.
Lack of effective deterrents and the belief of getting away with it.
Poor role models that set a bad example of taking drugs is an acceptable thing.
What are the psychological reasons for PEDs?
Some may use beta-blockers to steady their nerves where fine motor control is needed.
Others may use anabolic steroids to increase their aggression.
Stimulants can be used to increase confidence and belief to succeed.
What are the implications of drug taking on the sport?
It threatens the integrity and spirit of the sport.
It is cheating and affects the reputation, and decreases interest in it.
Certain sports are strongly associated with drug cheats - Armstrong in cycling.
This creates suspicion that clouds the success of ‘clean athletes’.
It also provides bad role models and develops attitudes that one can’t compete if they don’t take drugs.
What are the implications of drug taking on the performer?
It can bring fame and fortune if you avoid detection.
But it provides negative role models, who set bad examples.
It can be very damaging to the performers health.
Athletes following a positive test may lose their good reputation, impacting future career prospects - loss of income and sponsorship deals.
Can lead to legal action - banned and stripped of medals.
Can lead to social isolation from peers.
What are the arguments supporting drug legalisation - ineffective?
The battle is expensive and time consuming.
Drugs are easy to access and difficult to eliminate - money spent better elsewhere.
Drug testing is not always effective.
Blurred lines in drugs vs legal supplements.
Drugs are sometimes taken accidentally.
What are the arguments supporting drug legislation?
Sacrifices made by performers is a personal choice.
If everyone takes drugs, the playing field levels, and standard increases.
If drug taking is properly monitored then health risks can be reduced.
Athletes do not ask to be role models.
What are the arguments against legalising drug taking?
Health risks and bad side effects.
Bad role models for the young.
Gives a negative image for certain sports.
Pressure to take drugs increases.
Negative consequences if caught doping - loss of sponsorship.
What are the arguments against legalising drug taking - inequality?
Drugs give an unfair advantage, and against the fair play ethic.
It is cheating and illegal.
Success should be about hard work and natural talent.
Only rich countries can afford them.
What is UKAD?
UK anti-doping administers the drug testing for 40+ sports and strategies to eliminate the use of illegal PEDs in sport.
They try to increase their knowledge and understanding of drugs and the moral issues associated.
The 100% me programme promotes fair, drug-free sport.
What is WADA?
UKAD work with the World Anti-doping Agency and NGBs to prevent and detect drug taking.
This co-operation is important to enforce strict procedures to try and catch out the takers - includes random testing.
The Whereabouts system requires athletes to give their location so they can be tested at any time, with no notice.