Methods of enhancing performance

Question 1

what do Physiological aids aim to do?

examples?

Answer 1

Physiological aids aim to enhance the physiological processes that occur naturally in the body.
Examples include altitude training and physiotherapy, plus illegal processes like blood doping.

Question 2

What are Nutritional aids?

Answer 2

Nutritional aids include substances like creatine, whey proteins, caffeine and sports drink.

Question 3

What are Mechanical aids?

Answer 3

Mechanical aids are designed to improve energy and biomechanical efficiency like specialised equipment and clothing.

Question 4

What are Hormonal aids?

Answer 4

Hormonal aids covers a range of substances that are generally considered illegal when taken for the purpose of improving performance is sport. They include steroids and human growth hormone.

Question 5

What is psychological aids?

Answer 5

Psychological aids are activities and skills which aim to improve mental strength.
Examples include visualisation and gaol setting.

Question 6

PROTEINS

Answer 6

Proteins play an important role in structure, immune cells and hormone function. Contain Amino acids, which is a number of compounds found in living cells that contain oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen, which join together to form proteins. They help growth, speed recovery and adaption to stress and exercise.

Question 7

WHEY PROTEINS

Answer 7

Whey proteins is a by product and contains a concentration of nice essential amino acids and is digested quickly, flicking the switch for the bodies muscles - building machinery almost as soon as its ingested. Sold as a dietary supplements.

Question 8

Creatine - natural

Answer 8

Creatine - natural compound formed in protein metabolism that helps to supply energy to all

Question 9

What is Anabolic steroids

Answer 9

A form of testosterone,

Causes the development of male sex characteristics like strength, power, speed, and aggression.

Question 10

How does anabolic steroids work?
When are they used?
Side effects?
Example?

Answer 10

• They work by stimulating protein synthesis in muscle cells, while also preventing protein breakdown. This improves the ability of the body to use protein, allowing athletes to train harder and for longer, increasing weight, strength and power.
• they also reduce muscle breakdown after intense exercise and therefore help with muscle recovery.
• steroids are most commonly used by competitors in weightlifting, body building, athletics (throwing events) some team sports where bulk and aggression is important.
• side effects include shrinking testicles, baldness, infertility, acne, liver damage, and increased facial hair.
• an example of an anabolic steroid is nandrolone.

Question 11

What is a stimulants?

Answer 11

Stimulants are substances that act directly on the central nervous system to speed up parts of the brain and body.

Question 12

What is stimulants used for?

Answer 12

Stimulants used to increase alertness, reduce tiredness and improve competitiveness or aggression.

Question 13

Examples of the Stimulants?

Other advantages?

Answer 13

• Amphetamines (ecstasy) - less used in sport due to side effects (blurred vision).
• cocaine - recreational drug more that performance enhancement (muscle spasms)
• caffeine - coffee/ energy drinks - short buzz
  Other advantages
• improved muscle contractibility
• increase time to exhaustion
• improved concentration
• reduce fatigue