Physiological Aids Flashcards
What are physiological aids
A group of ergogenic aids used to increase the rate of adaptation by the body to increase performance, including blood doping, intermittent hypoxic training and cooling aids
What is blood doping
An illegal method of increasing red blood cell content by infusing blood prior to competition
Benefits of blood doping
• Increased red blood cell and haemoglobin count
• Increased oxygen transport and aerobic capacity
• Increased intensity and duration of performance before fatigue
Risks of blood doping
• Increased blood viscosity
• Decreased cardiac output
• Increased risk of blood clots and heart failure
• Risk of transfusion reactions and infections, such as hepatitis and HIV
Define intermittent hypoxic training (IHT)
Interval training with work intervals performed under hypoxic conditions.
(Hypoxia - condition where the body is subject to an inadequate oxygen supply to maintain normal function)
Who uses intermittent hypoxic training (IHT)
Endurance performers such as marathon runners and triathletes benefit, as well as team game players
Benefits of intermittent hypoxic training (IHT)
• Acclimatisation for events at altitude
• Increased red blood cell, haemoglobin and oxygen-carrying capacity
• Increased intensity and duration before fatigue
• Increased mitochondria and buffering capacity, delay OBLA
Negatives of intermittent hypoxic training (IHT)
• Any benefit is quickly lost when IHT stops
• Many lose motivation and disrupt training programs
• Hard to reach normal work rate
• Decrease immune function and increase risk of infection
• Dehydration
What are cooling aids
A range of products, such as, ice vests, packs and baths, used to reduce the core temperature, treat injury and speed up recovery
Who uses cooling aids (pre, post, injury)
• Pre event - Used mainly by endurance performers in hot climates
• Post event - Associated with rugby and football players, endurance athletes like marathon runners also benefit
• Injury treatment - games players, especially in contact sports
Benefits of cooling aids
• Reduced core body temperature
• Decreased sweating, dehydration and early fatigue
• Decreased injury pain and swelling
• Increased speed of recovery and repair
• Decreased delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
Risks of cooling aids
• Difficult to perceive exercise intensity
• Ice burns and pain
• Hide or complicate injuries
• Chest pain and reduced efficiency in the elderly
• Dangerous for hypertensives or those with heart conditions (if used in the chest area)
