Performance enhancing drugs

Question 1

Examples of Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) (9 things)

Answer 1

1. Anabolic steroids
2. Beta blockers
3. Stimulants
4. Narcotics analgesics
5. Anabolic agents
6. Diuretics
7. Peptide hormones, mimetics and analogues
8. Substances with anti-oestrogenic activity
9. Masking agents

Question 2

Human growth hormone (HGH) (3 things)

Answer 2

1. Increase bone, muscle and cartilage growth
2. Occurs naturally in the body
3. Improves power and strength

Question 3

Anabolic steroids (4 things)

Answer 3

1. Forms of testosterone which stimulate muscle growth and increased aggression
2. Therefore, alongside training, it can increase muscle mass
3. Increase recovery and repair of injury
4. Generally used for power, but can be used by any athletes to aid recovery

Question 4

Beta blockers (2 things)

Answer 4

1. Controls the HR and therefore calms nerves and steadies heartbeat
2. Used in sports where fine motor skills are requires and in particular a steady hand for successful performance (darts, pool, archery)

Question 5

Erythropoietin (EPO) (3 things)

Answer 5

1. Occurs naturally in the body and is a hormone controlling red blood cell production
2. Therefore, taking a synthetic version of the hormone stimulates production of new red blood cells and therefore O2 carrying capacity
3. Improved endurance

Question 6

Blood doping (3 things)

Answer 6

1. Removing blood from the body temporarily which is held in storage to stimulate new blood cell creation
2. This is then re-transfused before the sporting event which will increase red blood cell count and therefore increase O2 carrying capacity
3. Improved endurance

Question 7

Diuretics (2 things)

Answer 7

1. Rapid weight loss by increasing the amount of water expelled from the body through urine
2. Can also be used as a masking agent to help either flush out illegal drugs out of the system or dilute them before drug testing