Performance Enhancing Substances and Methods

Question 1

True or False: Exogenous testosterone degrades very quickly so the majority of synthetic androgens that are used are actually precursors for testosterone.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Negative physical health effects of testosterone/anabolic steroid use

Answer 2

testicle atrophy, decreased luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, decreased natural testosterone production, decreased HDL cholesterol

Question 3

Negative psychological effects of testosterone/anabolic steroid use

Answer 3

Aggressiveness, mania, depression, mood swings, irritability

Question 4

Physiological benefits of human growth hormone (HGH)

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Physiological benefits of testosterone/androgen steroids

Answer 5

Increased lean muscle mass and strength

Question 6

Negative health effects of HGH supplementation

Answer 6

Gigantism (in children; abnormally tall); acromegaly (disfiguring disease characterized by widening of the bones, organ enlargement, arthritis)

Question 7

What is EPO and what does it do?

Answer 7

EPO is a protein hormones produced by the kidneys and stimulates the production of new red blood cells

Question 8

What type of blood doping uses the athlete’s own blood (that was captured and stored previously)

Answer 8

Autologous blood doping

Question 9

What type of blood doping uses another person’s blood?

Answer 9

Homologous blood doping

Question 10

Benefits of EPO supplementation (or blood doping)

Answer 10

Increased levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit; increased aerobic capacity and time to exhaustion

Question 11

Negative effects of EPO supplementation

Answer 11

More viscous blood (thickening of the blood); increased risk of blood clotting, high blood pressure, stroke, and cerebral/pulmonary embolism

Question 12

Potential physiological benefits of B-adrenergic agonists (epinephrine derivatives)

Answer 12

increase lean mass; reduce fat mass, bronchodilator

Question 13

Potential physiological benefits of B-blockers (prevent the binding of catecholamines such as epinephrine)

Answer 13

reduce anxiety and tremors; could be beneficial in sports requiring accuracy such as archery or shooting

Question 14

Which of the essential amino acids (EAA) has been determined to be the key rate-determining factor in muscle protein synthesis?

Answer 14

Leucine; higher leucine content of post-exercise protein consumption = greater muscle protein synthesis

Question 15

What are the benefits of supplementing with EAA/BCAA’s and/or leucine?

Answer 15

Increased muscle protein synthesis

Question 16

Where is creatine naturally synthesized in the body?

Answer 16

Mostly in the liver; some in the kidneys and pancreas

Also naturally found in meat and fish

Question 17

What is the main function of creatine?

Answer 17

Energy metabolism during exercise; rephosphorylates ADP –> ATP; can therefore help athletes sustain high-intensity exercise longer

Question 18

What is the dosing regimen for creatine supplementation?

Answer 18

An initial loading phase: 20-25 g for 5 days
Followed by a maintenance dose of 2g/day

Question 19

What is the proposed mechanism for how caffeine improves aerobic endurance performance?

Answer 19

Increases fat oxidation through the mobilization of free fatty acids from adipose tissues; slows glycogen depletion and prevents fatigue

Question 20

What is the proposed mechanism for how caffeine improves short duration, high-intensity exercise?

Answer 20

Enhanced power production via enhanced excitation-coupling that affects neuromuscular transmission and mobilization of intracellular calcium ions

Question 21

What dosing regimen of caffeine is most effective for improving athletic performance?

Answer 21

3-9 mg/kg body weight consumed 60 mins before exercise or during prolonged exercise

Question 22

Benefits of caffeine consumption

Answer 22

decreased perceived exertion, improved work capacity, and increased mental alertness

Question 23

Benefits of ephedrine

Answer 23

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)

Question 24

Safety/legality of ephedrine use

Answer 24

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

Question 25

What kind of drug is citrus aurantium (bitter orange) and what are its proposed benefits?

Answer 25

Stimulant; when combined with caffeine, may improve time to fatigue during exercise; may increase metabolic rate and increase lipolysis

Question 26

Safety/legality of citrus aurantium (bitter orange)

Answer 26

May cause vasoconstriction and high blood pressure; currently banned by the NCAA