Paper 1 Ergogenic Aids

Question 1

Pharmacological aids

Answer 1

Increase the levels of hormones or neutral transmitters naturally produced by the body.

Question 2

Pharmacological aids - EPO

Answer 2

Naturally produced hormone responsible for the production of red blood cells.

A synthetic copy can be supplemented to increase red blood cell production. This is illegal by WADA and examples include Lance Armstrong

Question 3

Pharmacological aids - HGH

Answer 3

Illegal synthetic product copying natural growing hormone

Question 4

Physiological aids

Answer 4

Used to increase the rate of adaptiton

Blood doping
Higher red blood cell production

Intermittent hypoxia training

Cooling aids

Question 5

Nutritional aids

Answer 5

Dietary supplements used to boost training capacity and include meals pre and post game.

Glycogen loading
Hydration
Créatine supplementation

Question 6

Bicarbonate

Answer 6

Advantages:

• Reduces acidity in the muscles, delaying fatigues
• Buffers lactic acid
• Increaces the time at which an athlete can work at high intensities

Disadvantages:
- Some people have reported stomach cramps and diarrhoea

Question 7

Caffeine

Answer 7

Advantages:

• Increases alertness
• Helps process fats quicker

Disadvantages:

• Can lead to poor sleeping patterns which could have an impact on performance in an event such as a cycling stage race.
• Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dehydration, high blood pressure.

Question 8

Glycogen loading

Answer 8

• Three days before competition the athlete will eat a high carb diet and complete light training.

Question 9

Creatine supplementation

Answer 9

Benefits:

• Increases the bodies creatine stores
• Increases ability to work at a high intensity for a longer duration

Drawbacks:
- Little evidence that it would be useful for endurance athletes