Improving Performance IQ3: What ethical issues are related to improving performance?

Question 1

What are the negatives of the use of drugs (performance enhancing) in general?

Answer 1

These substances can carry serious health risks and can jeopardize an athlete’s future in the sport

Question 2

What are Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs)?

Answer 2

These are substances that can improve an athlete’s performance in a parituclar sport or activity.

Question 3

Why might PEDs be used?

Answer 3

Can be used for a variety of reasons such as building muscle, dulling pain, reducing weight, lowering stress or masking other substances etc.

3: strength gains, aerobic capacity and masking drug use

Question 4

What types of implications on health should be discussed when talking about the dangers of PEDs? (3)

Answer 4

Physical, social/livelihood , psychological

According to syllabus: Physical effects, loss of reputation, sponsorship and income

Question 5

What are the physical side effects of PEDs?

Answer 5

Health implications may include:

Liver tumors
Cancer
High Blood Pressure
Kidney Tumors
Depression
Gynecomastia (breast enlargement)
Baldness
Testicular atrophy
Fluid retention

Question 6

Can the physical health implication of PEDs be reversed?

Answer 6

Some changes such as testicular atrophy and reduced sperm production can be reversed, however, others such as baldness and gynecomastia (breast enlargement) cannot

Question 7

What are the psychological/emotional implications of PEDs?

Answer 7

Steroids in particular are related to mood swings, irritability, aggression, sexual arousal, confusion and memory loss

Other drugs such as alcohol and diuretics can result in decreased concentration and reaction time, as well as reducing abilities such as coordination

Question 8

What are the effects of PEDs on livelihood?

Answer 8

Use of PEDs is banned in competition, and athletes found guilty of using PEDs are banned from competition for extended periods of times (usually years). With this, they lose their reputation and their income when sponsorships and endorsements are cancelled due to the worsened image of the athlete who has been caught using PEDs

Those caught using PEDs can lose all their reputation, pride and personal accomplishment. They will experience a lack of income because of the fall in sponsorships.

On top of that, many athletes are seen as role models by some children which may influence negative behaviours

THOSE CAUGHT USING PEDS BRING A NEGATIVE IMAGE –> COMPANIES NO LONGER WANT TO SPONSOR THE ATHLETE DUE TO NEGATIVE IMAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THEM

Question 9

What are the effects of PEDs on reputation?

Answer 9

A positive result in a drug test of an elite player often hits the media very quickly and is wide spread. An athlete may have spent a long time building a reputation, not just as a physically dominant athlete, but also off the field as many elite athletes are now held up as role models.

A positive result in a drug test will have the athlete lose this reputation overnight. They will be labelled a liar, a cheat, and many other things as their career spirals downward. This loss of reputation will affect other aspects of their life as well. Lance Armstrong has lost his stellar reputation because it was later revealed that he had been cheating.

Question 10

What drugs are the most commonly used for strength?

Answer 10

Human growth hormone (HGH) or anabolic steroids

Question 11

What sports are drugs used for strength? (examples of)

Answer 11

Drugs usually associated with a requirement of power and strength such as weight lifting, body building, shot put, hammer throw, wrestling and sprinting

Question 12

What is Human Growth Hormone (HGH) aka somatropin?

Answer 12

Growth hormone is produced by our brain’s pituitary gland and governs our height, bone length and muscle growth. It is a naturally occurring substance that increases the rate at which amino acids are transported to skeletal muscle cells

Question 13

Why is artificial HGH used for strength and power development?

Answer 13

Because it stimulates muscle growth. It stimulates fat mobilisation as an energy source, which allows body builders to become more lean and show their muscles more.

It will increase muscle size and strength.

Question 14

What are the long term effects of using artificial HGH?

Answer 14

Overgrowth of face, hands and feet
Gigantism
Muscle Weakness
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Disfigurement from extensive bone growth
Osteoporosis and arthritis
High Cholesterol

Question 15

What are the two classes of steroids?

Answer 15

Anabolic and androgenic

Question 16

What is an anabolic steroid?

Answer 16

These steroids are used for tissue building . Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones that help with the growth and repair of muscle tissue

They are typically synthetic derivations of testosterone

Question 17

What is an androgenic steroid?

Answer 17

A steroid which produces masculine characteristics such as strength, power, speed and aggressiveness.

Question 18

Is it possible to take a steroid which is completely anabolic or completely androgenic?

Answer 18

No

Question 19

Why were steroids widely used in past decades?

Answer 19

Increase weight, strength and power and reduce the recovery time between workouts

Question 20

How do steroids work?

Answer 20

They stimulate protein synthesis in muscle cells, while simultaneously arresting its breakdown. This increases the body’s ability to utilise protein and prevent its degeneration

Question 21

What sports has steroid use been a major issue in?

Answer 21

Weight lifting, Body building, track and field (particularly throwing events)

Question 22

What are the effects of steroids? (7)

Answer 22

They include:

Testicular atrophy and decreased level of reproductive hormone

Increased or decreased sex drive

Liver damage

Higher blood pressure

Increased nervous tension

Possible manic or depressive episodes

Heightened risk of musculo-tendinous injury

Question 23

What are the specific effects of a use of steroids on women? (4)

Answer 23

Infertility

Clitorial hypertrophy and sore nipples

Increased sex drive

Masculine appearance, including deepening voice and facial hair

Increased aggressiveness

Question 24

Are women more effected by the use of steroids?

Answer 24

Yes they gain more masculine features

Question 25

What drug to improve aerobic performance is studied?

Answer 25

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Question 26

What is Erythropoietin? How does it function?

Answer 26

It is a natural hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. It acts on bone marrow, stimulating the red blood cell production. It was originally developed for people with anaemia and kidney deficiencies to help them manufacture extra red blood cells

It is a form of ‘blood doping’ because the increased number of red blood cells allow athletes to absorb more oxygen and improve their stamina as a result

Question 27

What are some examples of athletes whose performance could benefit from EPO?

Answer 27

Those performing in endurance events such as:

Marathons
Triathlons
Distance cycling

Question 28

What are the drawbacks of the use of EPO? (during endurance event and in general) (1, 7)

Answer 28

People who take EPO are more at risk in endurance events because they lose valuable fluid, causing changes to blood consistency.

EPO also causes:
Increases blood viscosity –> poor circulation, blood clots and even stroke (Poor blood flow –> heart works harder to keep blood flowing)

Chest pain
Headache
High Blood Pressure
Joint Pain
Fatigue
Shortness of breath

It has caused death in some cases

Question 29

What are the benefits of EPO for aerobic performance?

Answer 29

EPO is a naturally occurring hormone in the body released from the kidneys. As it stimulates the production of more red blood cells, the more red blood cells you have, the more oxygen the blood can carry –> improved oxygen uptake and improved performance in aerobic sports

It also raises the lactate inflection point

Question 30

What are some examples of drugs which can be used to mask the use of other drugs?

Answer 30

Some drugs such as diuretics and alcohol can be used to mask other drugs

Question 31

What are diuretics?

Answer 31

These are drugs that increase the amount of fluid (water and urine passing from the body). They are used to treat health problems such as liver and kidney disease

Question 32

Why are diuretics banned?

Answer 32

Because they can clear evidence of steroid use from the body. It essentially increases the urine volume, which reduces the concentrations of the steroid/drug which is meant to be able to be detected from urine. This is illegal.

Question 33

Why are diuretics used?

Answer 33

They can be used because it speeds up weight loss and eradicate traces of banned substances such as steroids from the body

Question 34

What are some detrimental effects of diuretics? (5)

Answer 34

Dehydration
Dizziness and possible fainting
Headache
Loss of coordination
Heart and kidney failure

Question 35

How does alcohol mask other drugs?

Answer 35

It is a diuretic which means that it promotes an increase in urine excretion which contributes to a lower level of concentration of drugs within the body. It also acts as a depressant. Its effects on the body vary by body size, previous exposure, amount consumed etc.

It is banned in some sports because of its diuretic effect

Alcohol consumpiton also increases an athletes self confidence –> taking risks they wont normally take

Question 36

Where is alcohol typically contained in?

Answer 36

Cough syrup, so many athletes are known to take cough syrup to mask drug abuse

Question 37

What are the effects of alcohol?

Answer 37

Dizziness and loss of coordination

Loss of inhibition

Slowed reactions and slurred speech

Blurred vision

Possible aggression

Vomiting

Unconsciousness or death if large amounts are taken

Question 38

What is sample collection/doping control/drug testing?

Answer 38

It is the process to detect the use of a prohibited substance or prohibited method of enhancing performance by an athlete

Question 39

How is sample collection done/drug testing conducted?

Answer 39

Conducted by an anti-doping organisation such as the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA)

It includes sample collection of urine, blood samples and more.

They are typically done in bulk or according to their finishing positions

Question 40

What is the purpose of doping tests?

Answer 40

Designed to detect and deter the abuse of PEDs by competitors. It ensures an equal playing field amongst the competitiors. The testing procedures for drug abuse in sports are strict and the testing procedures must be closely adhered to

Question 41

What are the benefits of sample collection/testing? (5)

Answer 41

Protects the right of athletes to compete in a sporting environment free from doping

Athletes should be rewarded on their natural ability and training outcomes, not chemical enhancement

Knowing that athletes can be tested any time, anywhere, is a deterrent to athletes who might consider doping

Doping is harmful to the health of athletes

Athletes like being tested because they like being able to prove that they are competing clean

Question 42

What are the limitations of sample collection?

Answer 42

On 1 January each year, a revised World Anti Doping Agency Prohibited List is released, so athletes must be constantly aware of what is prohibited and keep up-to-date with their information

Because athletes have previously tampered with samples, they must remove clothing from the knees to the mid torso, and from the hands to the elbows, and someone of the same gender of the athlete must witness the urine sample leaving the Athlete’s body –> confronting process for some athletes, and may also be a breach of confidentiality

Testing is very costly (amounting to several millions of dollars annually worldwide)

Question 43

Is drug testing only during competition?

Answer 43

Drug testing is no longer restricted to being conducted only during competitions, and can occur at any time and any place

Question 44

What kinds of arguments should be related to drug testing? (4)

Answer 44

At what level of competition should drug testing be introduced?

Which drugs should be tested for?

What are the pros and cons of drug testing

What should be the consequences of drug use?

Question 45

At what level of competition should drug testing be introduced?

Answer 45

Currently most drug testing occurs at the professional level, leaving recreational and amateur competitions open to drug use. It is currently not possible or cost effective to conduct drug tests on everyone at every level within sport. However, at the non-professional levels there are less motivating factors for drug use and the use of drugs is more likely to be recreational than for a sporting advantage. With this in mind, each sports club does have a responsibility to promote safety to those within the club and help promote drug free sport.

Question 46

What drugs should be tested for?

Answer 46

The number of drugs and the possibility for testing is very large. Each sport has a prohibited list of substances and methods. The main focus of drug testing is to test for performance enhancing drugs and drugs used to marks other substances. WADA (World anti doping agency) and ASADA do not test for substances that do not affect performance or mask other substances that could affect performance.

Question 47

WHat are the pros and cons of drug testing?

Answer 47

The pros and cons very closely tie with the benefits and limitations of drug testing. Drug testing promotes equity in sport and helps to deter drug cheats from using banned substances. It promotes athlete health and safety while attempting to maintain fair play. However, drug testing does not always catch athletes, and is often having to develop new testing methods for the new drugs being released. A false positive will also ruin an athlete’s career in sport if leaked to the media. It should be noted though, that false positives are very rare and athletes are often tested more than once to confirm usage.

For example, false positives were seen with Peter Bol –> temporary bad image luckily it got revealed soon after what happened

Question 48

What should be the consequences of drug use?

Answer 48

Currently each case of drug use is considered individually. There are rules and regulations that guide the punishments for drug use, but like in the legal system, each case gets a different consequence depending on the circumstances. Often the consequences include: suspension or expulsion from the sport, fines and stripping of awards/title won. E.g. recently the Court of Arbitration banned 24 Essendon football players for 2 years after being found guilty of drug use

However, recently, for example Sha Carri Richardson was banned for 30 days for the use of cannabis, which rose many debates about whether cannabis should be allowed, and that there shouldn’t be any consequences for the use of cannabis.

Question 49

When has the use of tech in sport started to increase? Why?

Answer 49

Increased dramatically over the last 30 years. This was due to extensive development and use of computer tech and construction of lightweight attire and equipment lately

(Sketchy)

Question 50

How has tech improved training innovation?

Answer 50

Improvements in Lactate threshold testing, biomechanical analysis, 3D motion analysis, GPS, 3D simulations

Question 51

What is the purpose of lactate threshold testing?

Answer 51

Most athletes use heart rate monitors to establish their level of intensity relative to their target heart rate during exercise. Elite athletes often aim to train at levels close to lactate threshold

Question 52

What is the lactate threshold point indicated by?

Answer 52

When lactate begins to accumulate rapidly in the blood –> burning sensation, increased ventilation rate and deteriorating performance

Question 53

Why is training at the lactate threshold point important?

Answer 53

It is important for athletes as training regimes are geared to push back the lactate threshold point for as long as possible while still working at high levels of intensity

Question 54

What is an example of technology, enhancing lactate threshold testing? (3)

Answer 54

Examples include testing blood samples during graded exercise tests in the lab, in these tests, treadmills, bicycle ergometers or rowing machines are used with blood samples being taken at graded levels of intensity. This equipment is quite expensive

A more convenient and less expensive way is the use of portable lactate analysers. However, they require athletes to undergo periodic fitness tests that have a set of protocols so that measurement can be compared from one occasion to the next

Another method would be the use of a special heart rate monitor that has a split time facility, allowing for the lactate threshold to be established

Question 55

What is the benefit of using lactate threshold testing?

Answer 55

A coach can plan, control and monitor the training of athletes with a precision not available before. It provides important info that enables the coach to individualise the intensity of each athlete’s workout so that athlete is able to reach performance objectives

Question 56

What is an example of a well-known athlete who uses lactate threshold testing?

Answer 56

Jakob Ingebrigsten; 1500m, 3000m

He utilises a lactate guided threshold interval training; it is not measured by external benchmarks like speed, but is guided by internal stress on the body, he uses a finger or ear prick to ensure that he stays in the desired lactate range. This has propelled him to be regarded as one of the best middle/long distance runners, and has broken many European/Olympic records, and won Olympic gold medals in the 1500

HOWEVER there are still well known atletes such as Mo farah who aren’t known to have used lactate training thresholds and still achieved great results

Question 57

WHat is the VO2 max test?

Answer 57

It measures an athlete’s maximal oxygen consumption in L per Min per Kg of body weight, max HR, ventilation rate and efficiency of muscles. It also predicts the lactate threshold

Question 58

What are the benefits of the VO2 Max test?

Answer 58

It is used to set heart rate training zones as a real measure of max heart rate, and allows the athlete to train more effectively to improve their cardiovascular endurance. Especially beneficial in endurance sports such as marathons, triathlons or AFL

Question 59

Why is biomechanical analysis important?

Answer 59

It explores the various techniques applied to skills such as throwing and jumping. It is able to scrutinise all of these skills to a high degree. Problems can be identified and ways of making them more biomechanically efficient can be recommended

It aims to make execution of any movement more skilful, efficient and safe.

It can also be used to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition

Question 60

What are examples of equipment which can be used for biomechanical analysis?

Answer 60

Video analysis, photography, use of comparative images and slow motion replays

Mainly video analysis to record and then replaying it in slow motion to scrutinise minute movements and potentially identify problems.

Question 61

What does video allow the coach to do?

Answer 61

Improve technique

Improve visualisation

Establish biomechanical efficiency

Analysing strategies

Question 62

What is an example of biomechanical analysis used to improve a sport?

Answer 62

A biomechanical analysis in sprinting has allowed for the shift in technique and prevention of ‘overstriding’, which involves extending the foot further than where it should land causing braking forces and slowing the athlete down. It has allowed for the recognition that the greatest speed is achieved when the foot lands directly below the hip after a cycle, which allows for less braking forces, ultimately speeding up the athlete

Question 63

What are some other uses of technology to enhance training?

Answer 63

3D motion analysis

GPS

3D simulations

Question 64

What is 3D motion analysis and how does it help?

Answer 64

Three-dimensional motion analysis is a technique used to examine player movements when executing a specific skill. With reflective markers attached to various parts of the body, a skill such as golf swing is performed. The animation obtained through the sequence can then be scrutinised and used to improve technique, prevent injury or compare with previous performances.

Allows for the identification of incorrect techniques and improvement

Question 65

What is GPS and how does it help?

Answer 65

The use of GPS devices has increased in popularity among high profile teams and players. These devices provide valuable information such as player work rate (speed, distance covered) during a game and ability to recover. This allows training programs to specifically address the skill and fitness needs of individual players. These devices have also become popular in golf by providing players with the exact distance from their ball to the pin on the golf green

Question 66

What is 3D simulations and how does it help?

Answer 66

Some three-dimensional simulations are used to provide replications of the way a particular movement should look. By examining these movements, players can observe correct techniques and compare to their own. Simulations can also be used to provide realistic sport field environments, such as a basketball hoop for players to shoot at. Most of this software provides immediate feedback.

Question 67

What technological equipment is used to enhance training innovation?

Answer 67

Main:

Lactate threshold testing
Biomechanical analysis

Other:

3D motion analysis
GPS
3D simulations

Question 68

What are the ethics involved with technological advancements in training innovation?

Answer 68

Many of the training innovations are expensive and can only be accessed by athletes or clubs who can afford the testing and equipment. This can create an unfair playing field, particularly when competition is between countries, where one country has access and the other does not (e.g. American female football players playing the female team from the Congo). The ethical considerations revolve around equity of access and money, more than safety.

Question 69

How do improvements in equipment improve performance?

Answer 69

It makes skill execution easier and safer

Question 70

WHat are some advancements in clothing equipment technology?

Answer 70

Clothing in sport has changed significantly. It is now very light, and can be lose or skin tight, depending on the need for performance and safety. Clothing in many contact sports have also become tighter to make it harder for the opposition to grab hold of it when tackling (i.e. rugby)

I.e. swim suits worn have changed to become whole body suits

Question 71

What are some advancements in protective equipment technology?

Answer 71

Protective equipment in sports has become much lighter, allowing for faster and more free movement. Some sports have developed new protective equipment such as the stem guard in cricket, shin pad in football etc.

Question 72

What are three types of technologies which have assisted in enhancing athletic performance in various sports?

Answer 72

Swimsuits - swimming

Compression garments - Most sports involving running

Golf balls - golf

Track - Spikes + synthetic rubber

Question 73

Explain the development of the technology of racing swimsuits

Answer 73

The most recent developments in swimsuit tech was seen in the Speedo swimsuit, ‘LZR Racer’ which was made from a special ultra lightweight water repellent material that through compression reduces skin vibration and offers low drag friction while improving buoyancy. It also included internal stabiliser supports to hold the swimmer the best position in the water, optimising the shape of the swimmer and ultimately improving the smoothness of the swimming.

This ultimately resulted in the banning of the LZR swimsuit in international competitions as it was deemed to provide an unfair advantage, and contributed to 23/25 new swimming world records in the Beijing Olympics

Question 74

What happened after the release of the LZR racer swimsuits?

Answer 74

It resulted in the introduction of rules which restricted body coverage, buoyancy levels and the actual materials used in the swimsuit.

For example, for males, they may only wear swimsuits that cover the area from the waist to the knee.

Question 75

What issues did the introduction of the LZR racers produce?

Answer 75

It introduced issues of fairness and equity, as swimmers who wear the suits had a significant advantage over swimmers who could not afford them

Question 76

What are compression garments?

Answer 76

These are types of athletic clothing that fit very tightly to the body, which provides a sense of firmness around the limbs. It is claimed that they advance recovery process, delay the onset of fatigue and decrease muscular damage.

Question 77

How has the golf ball changed?

Answer 77

The golf ball used today is larger, and tech has embedded it with the most appropriate number and size of dimples for maximum elevation and distance for the given speed applied by the golfer. This enables the ball to travel further, improving the performance of golfers.

Question 78

How does spike technology improve performance in athletics?

Answer 78

They allow for greater grip on the forefoot, allowing the increased transfer of force, and also improving stride turnover. Grip is also very important on a wet track

Question 79

How has spike technology created ethical issues?

Answer 79

Similar to the LAZR racer, spike tech has advanced highly to even introduce tech such as including carbon fibre plates into sprint spikes, giving an extra ‘bounce’, further creating a gap for athletes who cannot afford these newer spikes. Also the attempted introduction of the nike ‘viperfly’ was deemed too good and posed a threat to current records, creating a further ethical issue

Question 80

Why are rubber track surfaces beneficial for performance?

Answer 80

It essentially acts like a springboard, increasing speed and performance, as well as reducing the chance for injury. They also increase traction, allowing for further grip etc.

Question 81

Describe how technology has been used to improve performance?

Answer 81

Technology has been used to enhance training innovation and equipment, ultimately contributing to significant improvements in performance. For example, the use of lactate threshold testing enables an athlete to train at optimal lactate threshold levels, allowing for the best training gains, which is seen in Jakob Ingebrigtsen use of Lactate threshold testing to continually ensure he is reaching desired outcomes. An athlete may also use biomechanical analysis through the use of cameras etc to improve technique, allowing for biomechanical efficiency and ultimately contributing to significant improvements in performance

In addition to that, advancements in technologies such as swimsuits and golf balls have also led to improvements in performance.

Question 82

Has technology gone too far?

Answer 82

This is one of the biggest ethical issues related to technology use in sport. Technology should be used to improve sports performance. Audiences want to see improved performance and athletes want to improve their performance. Improvements in performance will become very rare if technology is removed from it. However, when technology lead to unfair competition it use should become limited.

This is seen in the use of the LAZR racers and the viperfly

Question 83

Has access to tech created unfair competition?

Answer 83

The ethical issues related to technology use in sport include equity of access. Accessing technology is expensive, especially when talking about physiological testing or biomechanical analysis. Even some equipment is costly, and if all competitors cannot access technology then the competition is unfair due to inequities in access to technology. However, most sporting competitions involve athletes or clubs who either can or cannot afford technologies. All major sporting competitions such as: NBA, NBL, NFL, AFL, NRL, A-League, EPL, Champions League, etc have plenty of money to access technology. The same goes for many elite individual sports such as golf and tennis.

However, international sports competitions do not have the same level of equity. Individual athletes from poorer developing countries cannot always afford the same technologies as athletes from developed countries, especially from countries that place a high value on sport (America, England and Australia).

This idea is also seen with Lamont Marcell Jacobs compared to other sprinters who may not be able to afford the equipment he uses

Question 84

How does Lamont Marcell Jacobs employ the use of tech for training innovation?

Answer 84

He uses an ‘aerodynamic cage’ to reduce all levels of wind resistance, allowing him to consistently reach high speeds, contributing to his ability to improve his training (as he is travelling at higher velocities), and as speed conditioning requires high levels of speed –> more efficient training –> greater improvements in speed –> improvements in speed and allowing him to win the gold medal in 100m Tokyo

His coach also utilises biomechanical analysis during his start to optimise his start, ensuring that the ‘shin angles’ and arm splits and also stride length are optimal