Improving performance - ethical issues related to improving performance

Question 1

what are the ethical issues related to improving performance

Answer 1

• use of drugs

- use of technology

Question 2

what is the issues with the use of drugs

Answer 2

• dangers of performance enhancing drugs
• for strength
• for aerobic performance
• to mask other drugs
• benefits and limitations of drug testing

Question 3

what are the dangers of performance enhancing drug use

Answer 3

physical effects are drug specific but athletes will also lose their reputation as a hard working athlete
they can be;
- fired
- fined
- banned from the sport
- lose sponsorship deals

Question 4

what is an example of an athlete suffering from using performance enhancing drugs

Answer 4

Lance Armstrong lost his titles, reputation was sued and more after being found a drug cheat

Question 5

what are drug use for strength (human growth hormones)

Answer 5

human growth hormones is a chemical hormone produced by the body for growth + development and doped for strength and power development.

Question 6

what are the side effects of human growth hormone (for strength)

Answer 6

• diabetes
• excessive bone growth
• heart disease

Question 7

what are the side effects of anabolic steroids (for strength)

Answer 7

• aggressiveness
• irritability
• acne
• baldness

Question 7

what are drug use for strength (anabolic steroids)

Answer 7

anabolic steroids are derived from testosterone and have similar effects of human growth hormones on the body
they develop;
- power
- strength
- changes body composition

Question 8

what are drug use for aerobic performance (EPO)

Answer 8

EPO is a naturally occurring hormone in the body released from the kidneys. it is doped to increase red blood cell production
—> this will increase oxygen carrying capacity of blood

Question 9

what are the side-effects of Diuretics

Answer 9

• dehydration
• dizziness
• poor coordination
• kidney disease

Question 10

what are the side-effects of EPO (for aerobic performance)

Answer 10

• increased heart disease
• stroke
• cerebral or pulmonary embolism

Question 11

The mask of other drugs using diuretics

Answer 11

diuretics causes the body to remove water from blood and excrete it as urine. this dilutes urine and makes positive detections of drugs such as anabolic steroids less likely

Question 12

the mask of other drugs using alcohol

Answer 12

alcohol is a diuretic and a depressant used by athletes to make drugs or slow down the nervous system

Question 13

what are side-effects of alcohol

Answer 13

• nausea
• loss of consciousness
• blurred vision

Question 14

what are the benefits of drug testing

Answer 14

• Promoting safety and wellbeing
• Equity in sport
• Protecting reputations

Question 15

what are limitations of drug testing

Answer 15

• Expensive tests
• Physical exposure of the athlete
• Not all drugs have a test

Question 16

what are ethical issues related to the use of technology to improve performance

Answer 16

• training innovations

- equipment advances

Question 17

what are lactate threshold testing : training innovations (use of technology)

Answer 17

speed endurance athletes and endurance athletes need to understand the point where their bodies produce lactic acid quicker than it can be removed
–> characterised by a burning sensation, increased ventilation rate and deteriorating performance

Question 18

how do lactate threshold testers work (training innovation)

Answer 18

tests are done using treadmills, bicycle ergometer or rowing machines with blood samples being taken at graded levels of intensity
–> this shows rise in lactate levels

this can also be done with the aid of heart rate monitors to establish their level of intensity

Question 19

what are biochemical analysis (training innovation)

Answer 19

examines how the body moves to explore the various techniques that can be applied to skills to make execution of any movement more skilful + efficient + safe

Question 20

how does biomechanics analysis work (training innovations)

Answer 20

done through video analysis, using images for comparisons and slow motion replays
–> movements are then explored in detail, problems identified and ways to improve are subjected to a high degree of critical analysis

Question 21

how is biomechanics analysis beneficial (training innovations)

Answer 21

• less energy is used
• fewer errors are made
• risk of injury is reduced

Question 22

equipment advances : swimsuits

Answer 22

swimsuit developments main features was to reduce the drag but progressed to improving buoyancy and blood flows to the muscles

Question 23

what were the features of the swim suit developed by speedo LZR

Answer 23

• fabrics had lowest possible level of friction drag in water –> developed using NASA’s wind tunnel technology
• streamlined shape with corset-like support around lower torso to help swimmers hold best position
• fully bonded seams to reduce drag while allowing full movement and flexibility

Question 24

what were the issues of swimsuit developments

Answer 24

• some could not afford to develop significant advantages

- technology was seen as not natural skill of athlete and therefore cannot be judged

Question 25

what event rose the controversy of swimsuits advancements

Answer 25

• 46 records were broken in 2009 world championships
• -> this led to FINA banning high-tech swimsuits + restricted the amount of body allowed covered
• FINA in 2010 banned ‘any device or swimsuit that may aid speed, buoyancy or endurance’

Question 26

equipment advances : golf balls

Answer 26

The golf ball used today is larger and technology has been able to embed it with the most appropriate number and size of dimples for maximum elevation and distance given the clubhead speed applied by the golfer

Question 27

what are the benefits of gold ball advances

Answer 27

• Greater control meaning straighter flight
• Lower spin means longer flight
• Harder shell means greater durability and distance
• Improved rubber core meaning greater distance but with a soft feel

Question 28

what are the ethical considerations of use of technology

Answer 28

Technology has made sports safer, fairer and often easier to perform and increased interest from spectators

• Technology has made the athletes less a part of the performance
• FINA has banned certain swimsuits
• Golf has restriction on the balls and club used competitions
• Motor racing has restrictions on vehicles