Paper 1 - Preparation & Training (ergogenic aids ONWARDS)

Question 1

What are ergogenic aids

Answer 1

Ergogenic Aids = a technique or substance used to enhance performance or recovery.

Question 2

3 types of ergogenic aids

Answer 2

Pharmacological aids
Physiological aids
Nutritional aids

Question 3

What are pharmacological aids

Answer 3

Pharmacological Aids = a supplement or drug that enhances performance by increasing the levels of hormones naturally produced by the body.
(Illegal = anabolic steroids, erythropoietin/EPO, human growth hormone/HGH)

Question 4

What are physiological aids

Answer 4

Physiological Aids = a technique that enhances performance by directly influencing the physiological capacity of a particular body system.
(Illegal = blood doping)
(Legal = intermittent hypoxic training/IHT, cooling aids)

Question 5

What are nutritional aids

Answer 5

Nutritional Aids = a supplement, food or drink that is consumed to enhance performance or recovery.
(Legal = pre-event/during event/post-event food, hydration, glycogen/carbohydrate loading, creatine, caffeine, bicarbonate, nitrate)

Question 6

Pharmacological Aids : Anabolic Steriods - illegal (describe, benefits, risks, sports)

Answer 6

Testosterone derivatives that promote protein synthesis for growth and repair of various tissues throughout the body.

• increased muscle mass, strength and power.
• promotes recovery.
• ability to train at a higher intensity for longer.
• can speed up rehabilitation from soft tissue injury.

• liver damage or cancer.
• increased blood pressure.
• raised LDL cholesterol.
• (males) shrinking of testicles.
• (males) reduced sperm count.
• (males) breast enlargement.
• (females) development of facial hair.
• (females) deepening of voice.

Mostly high intensity, short duration performers e.g. weight lifters, sprinters, throwers.

Question 7

Pharmacological Aids : EPO - illegal (describe, benefits, risks, sports)

Answer 7

A synthetic version of the hormone secreted by the kidneys that increases the rate of production of red blood cells.

• increased red blood cell and haemoglobin count.
• increased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
• increased VO2 max.
• delayed OBLA / lactate threshold / fatigue.

• increased blood viscosity.
• decreased blood flow or cardiac output. • increased risk of: blood clots, heart failure, stroke.
• decreased natural production of EPO by kidneys.

Mostly endurance performers who rely on the supply of oxygen to muscles for aerobic respiration.
e.g. road cyclists, distance runners, triathletes.

Question 8

Pharmacological Aids : HGH - illegal (describe, benefits, risks, sports)

Answer 8

A synthetic version of the hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that increases muscle mass.

• increased muscle mass, strength and power.
• increased fat free mass / decreased fat mass.
• increased glucose levels.
• stimulate bone, cartilage and muscle growth.
• can speed up rehabilitation from soft tissue injury.

• hypertrophy of internal organs. • abnormal bone growth.
• bone thickening deformities.
• increased risk of: diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer.

Mostly anaerobic performers but also some aerobic performers. e.g. weight lifters, sprinters, throwers.

Question 9

Define VO2 MAX, OBLA, LACTATE THRESHOLD, BLOOD VISCOSITY, HYPERTROPHY

Answer 9

VO2 max = the maximum volume of oxygen that can be used by the body in 1 minute.
OBLA = the exercise intensity where blood lactate concentration reaches 4mmol/l.
Lactate Threshold = the exercise intensity where blood lactate concentration increases suddenly and dramatically.
Blood Viscosity = the thickness and stickiness of blood. It is a direct measure of the ability of blood to flow through the vessels.
Hypertrophy = the enlargement of an organ or muscle from the increase in size of its cells.