Peds Flashcards
What is blood doping ?
Blood doping is different from taking performance - enhancing drugs (PEDs), as it is a method that is followed rather than something you take . It is a process some
athletes will use to
enhance their performance.
This method, like PEDs, is banned from use in sport
How is blood
doping done ?
- The performer has their blood removed a few weeks before competition
- This blood is frozen and stored.
- During this time the body replaces the removed blood.
- Just before competition the
performer’s stored blood is re-injected into the performer.
Why do performers use blood doping ?
- Increase in red blood cells
- Increase in oxygen-carrying capacity
Who might use blood doping ?
- Long-distance cyclists
- Long- distance runners
- games players where the game can last hours
What are the side effects from blood
doping?
- Infection from equipment or blood contamination during storage, leading to blood
poising - Increased thickness (viscosity) of the blood due to increase number of red blood cells, which could
lead to blood clots/heart attack. - Deep vein thrombosis due to blood clots, leading to heart failure
- Stroke
as a result of blood clots. - Diseases carried in body fluids, for example , HIV and hepatitis
What are beta blockers ?
Beta blockers are drugs that are designed to treat various health issues, particularly those associated with the heart such as high block pressure. They work by blocking the effects of adrenaline, so helping slow
down the heart rate.
what reasons are there that performers might take beta blockers ?
- They improve fine motor control/preciseness
- They have a calming effect
- They reduce hear rate: muscle tension and blood pressure
- They reduce muscle tremor or shaking
- The increase the chances of winning
- They allow the performer to remain in control
- They reduce the performer’s anxiety
What are the side effects associated with beta blockers ?
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Heart problems
- Slowing heat rate (therefore lower oxygen delivery, therefore drop in performance in endurance events)
-Lowering of blood pressure
- Sleep disturbance leading to tiredness
Which athletes are associated with taking beta blockers ?
- Target shooter (darts/archery)
- Gymnastics
What are stimulants ?
Stimulants are a category of drugs that temporarily elevate mood. They increase brain activity, making an individual feel more awake and alert, and as if they have more energy. The taking of stimulants in the larger enough quantities constitutes the use of performance-enhancing drugs and it therefore banned.
What are the reasons performers might take stimulants ?
- To increase alertness ( metal and physical) so the
performer is quicker to respond - To reduce tiredness
- To increase heart related (and therefore oxygen delivery)
- To increase competitiveness
- To increase levels of aggression
What are the side effects of stimulants ?
- insomnia
- anxiety
- aggression
- heart rate irregularities
Who might use stimulants ?
1) Where an increase in aggression would be helpful; it helps to hage a certain level of aggression in very physical sports as performer is more prepared to take the “physical knocks”, for example in:
- Rugby
- boxing
- ice hockey
2) Where the performer needs to start alert over a long period of time, for example in:
- long-distance cycling
- baseball
What are narcotic analgesics?
They were designed to relive pain temporarily. They act on brain and spinal cord to
dampen the effect of painful stimuli, thus masking pain.
What reasons performers might take narcotic analgesics ?
- They mask injuries so the performer can continue to compete
- They
increase the performer’s pain threshold - They give a sense of being invincible
- They give a sense of euphoria
What are the side effects associated with narcotic analgesics?
- nausea/ vomiting
- anxiety/depression
- Kidney/ liver damage
- addiction
-
concentration loss
- further damage to injury ( due to masking
pain )
Who might use narcotic analgesics?
- Sprinting
- boxing
- football
- swimming
- Any performer who overtrain
may take them
as painkillers
What are anabolic agents ?
Anabolic
agents are those
that help
develop
muscle mass such as anabolic steroids. You need to know
about anabolic agents and their positive and negative effects, and be able to give examples of which type of sports performers may decide to use them.
Why do performers use anabolic agents ?
- To allow
them to train harder for longer, so increasing power and strength - To increase protein synthesi, helping to develop lean muscle
mass - to increase their chance of winning
- speed up recovery time
- Owing to pressure from others
What are the side effects associated with anabolic agents ?
- liver
damage and
coronary heart disease - testicular atrophy, which leads to a decrease in sperm count (infertility)
- skin problems, including acne
- mood swings, including increased aggression
- premature baldness
Who might use anabolic agents ?
Anabolic steroids could provide an advantage in activities requiring power, like
sprinting or weightlifting.
What are diuretics ?
Diuretics are drugs that increase the rate of urination, so increasing the amount of
fluid the body loses. Unlike
other performance-enhancing drugs, diuretics are banned
not
because they directly
enhance performance, but because of other potential benefits.
What reasons are there for performers might take diuretics ?
- To achieve quick weight loss (due to loss of fluid from
the body) - To mask or hide other performance-enhancing substances the
performer may have taken,
making them harder to detect.
What effects are associated with diuretics ?
- dehydration
- nausea, headaches
- heart/kidney failure
Who might use diuretics ?
Diuretics use could be an advantage in any
activity with a weight category or
where it is a benefit to be light, for example
horse racing ( jockey) and boxing.
What are the two common
pepetide
hormone ?
Erythropoietin (EPO)
Human growth hormones (HGH)
Why reasons might performers take peptide hormones ?
EPO can :
- help increase red blood cell production, and therefore:
- increase oxygen delivery to working
muscles.
HGH can:
- help increase muscle mass and therefore strength
- burn more fat
What are the side effects associated with
peptide hormones ?
EPO:
- increased thickness of blood
- blood clots/strokes/deep vein thrombosis
- increased risk of heart attack
HGH:
- arthritis
- heart failure
- abnormal growth in feet and hands
- diabetes
Who might use peptide hormones ?
EPO:
- Rugby
- Distance running
- Distance cycling
HGH:
- Sprinting
- weightlifting
What are the advantage to performer to taking PEDs ?
- Increased chances of success: For example, an archer taking beta blockers to reduce tremble may be more accurate.
Fame: The more successful you are, the more famous you can become owing to more publicity.
Wealth: You get more prize money or sponsorship deals owing to increased success.
Level playing field: If everyone were to take them it would make things equal for all performers.
What are the disadvantages for the performer of taking PEDs ?
Cheating/immoral : If caught, everyone will know you cheated.
Associated health risks: For example, taking EPO increases the risk of blood clots.
Fines: If caught, you may need to pay an expensive fine
Bans: For example, you may not be able to compete in the next olympic games; this may mean that by the time you are allowed to compete again you will be past your peak
performance.
Reputational damage: You may be publicly shamed by having you medals taken away. be unable to get sponsorship, as companies will not want their product associated with a cheat.
What are the disadvantages to the sport/ event when performers takes PEDs
The sport or event will be associated with cheating which may give it:
A bad reputation: it may not be given the tasty or respect it deserves
Poor credibility: it may be seen as untrustworthy or unreliable
