Performance Enhancing Substances and Methods Flashcards
True or False: Exogenous testosterone degrades very quickly so the majority of synthetic androgens that are used are actually precursors for testosterone.
True
Negative physical health effects of testosterone/anabolic steroid use
testicle atrophy, decreased luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, decreased natural testosterone production, decreased HDL cholesterol
Negative psychological effects of testosterone/anabolic steroid use
Aggressiveness, mania, depression, mood swings, irritability
Physiological benefits of human growth hormone (HGH)
Stimulates bone and skeletal muscle growth; also regulates blood glucose levels and uptake of glucose and amino acids into muscle cells; stimulates release of fatty acids from fat cells
Physiological benefits of testosterone/androgen steroids
Increased lean muscle mass and strength
Negative health effects of HGH supplementation
Gigantism (in children; abnormally tall); acromegaly (disfiguring disease characterized by widening of the bones, organ enlargement, arthritis)
What is EPO and what does it do?
EPO is a protein hormones produced by the kidneys and stimulates the production of new red blood cells
What type of blood doping uses the athlete’s own blood (that was captured and stored previously)
Autologous blood doping
What type of blood doping uses another person’s blood?
Homologous blood doping
Benefits of EPO supplementation (or blood doping)
Increased levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit; increased aerobic capacity and time to exhaustion
Negative effects of EPO supplementation
More viscous blood (thickening of the blood); increased risk of blood clotting, high blood pressure, stroke, and cerebral/pulmonary embolism
Potential physiological benefits of B-adrenergic agonists (epinephrine derivatives)
increase lean mass; reduce fat mass, bronchodilator
Potential physiological benefits of B-blockers (prevent the binding of catecholamines such as epinephrine)
reduce anxiety and tremors; could be beneficial in sports requiring accuracy such as archery or shooting
Which of the essential amino acids (EAA) has been determined to be the key rate-determining factor in muscle protein synthesis?
Leucine; higher leucine content of post-exercise protein consumption = greater muscle protein synthesis
What are the benefits of supplementing with EAA/BCAA’s and/or leucine?
Increased muscle protein synthesis
Where is creatine naturally synthesized in the body?
Mostly in the liver; some in the kidneys and pancreas
Also naturally found in meat and fish
What is the main function of creatine?
Energy metabolism during exercise; rephosphorylates ADP –> ATP; can therefore help athletes sustain high-intensity exercise longer
What is the dosing regimen for creatine supplementation?
An initial loading phase: 20-25 g for 5 days
Followed by a maintenance dose of 2g/day
What is the proposed mechanism for how caffeine improves aerobic endurance performance?
Increases fat oxidation through the mobilization of free fatty acids from adipose tissues; slows glycogen depletion and prevents fatigue
What is the proposed mechanism for how caffeine improves short duration, high-intensity exercise?
Enhanced power production via enhanced excitation-coupling that affects neuromuscular transmission and mobilization of intracellular calcium ions
What dosing regimen of caffeine is most effective for improving athletic performance?
3-9 mg/kg body weight consumed 60 mins before exercise or during prolonged exercise
Benefits of caffeine consumption
decreased perceived exertion, improved work capacity, and increased mental alertness
Benefits of ephedrine
Stimulant; often used as a stacking agent with caffeine; increases basal metabolic rate resulting in fat loss; can improve aerobic endurance performance (not effective for anaerobic exercise)
Safety/legality of ephedrine use
Ephedra-containing products banned by the FDA due to significant adverse effects; ephedrine use is banned by the IOC
Can cause nausea, vomiting, anxiety, mood changes, palpitations, and death
