Performance Enhancing Drugs

Question 1

What are anabolic steroids

Answer 1

Drugs that increase strength, speed and stamina by increasing muscle size and allowing athletes to train harder, also increase aggression

Question 2

What are stimulants

Answer 2

Drugs that speed up reactions, reduce fatigue and increase aggression

Question 3

What are narcotic analgesics

Answer 3

Drugs that reduce pain so injuries don’t affect performance

Question 4

Arguments against using performance enhancing drugs

Answer 4

-some are illegal
-competitions become unfair if some people take drugs, gain advantage by taking drugs not through training
-serious health risks associated with the drugs eg high bp and heart problems
-athletes may not be fully informed of health risks of drugs

Question 5

Arguments for using performance enhancing drugs

Answer 5

-it’s up to each individual, athletes have the right to make their own decision about taking drugs and whether they’re worth the risk
-drug free sport isn’t completely fair anyway as dif athletes have access to dif training facilities and equipment, use of drugs may overcome these inequalities
-athletes that want to compete at a higher level may only be able to by using performance enhancing drugs

Question 6

What do absolutists think

Answer 6

Performance enhancing drugs should be banned from all sports- think use of drugs is morally wrong and they should never be used

Question 7

What do rationalists think

Answer 7

The use of drugs can be justified in certain circumstances