Soc 11 - Peformance Enhancing Drugs

Question 1

Why do people take performance enhancing drugs? (4)

Answer 1

• improving performance
• some people are encouraged to do so by their coaches or fellow athletes
• pressure
• the reward of winning (Gold medal in some sports are worth millions in endorsements)

Question 2

What are anabolic steroids?

Answer 2

Anabolic steroids: drugs that mimic the male sex hormone
testosterone and promote bone and muscles growth.
Anabolic steroids are used to enhance performance. Taken to
increase muscles mass and develop bone growth, therefore
increasing strength while at the same time allowing the athlete to
train harder and recover quicker.
Side effects: increased risk of muscle injury, increased risk of heart
attacks and strokes, high blood pressure and even death!

Question 3

What are beta blockers?

Answer 3

Beta blockers: drugs that are used to control the heart rate and
have a calming and relaxing effect.
Benefits: beta blockers can help targets sports where steadiness
and precision are required, because they reduce heart rate.
Side effects: nausea, diarrhoea, tiredness, depression, insomnia and
nightmares.

Question 4

What are Narcotics and analgesics?

Answer 4

Narcotics: drugs that affect mood or behaviour, including
drowsiness and relieving pain.
Analgesics: drugs that elevate the rate of urine production.
Benefits: these drugs act by depressing the central nervous system
and give relief from painful injuries, but allowing the injured player
to take part, they can increase the risk of severe or long-lasting
injury.
Side effects: Loss of coordination, loss of balance, loss of
concentration and emotional effects.

Question 5

What are Diuretics

Answer 5

Diuretics: drugs that elevate the rate of urine production.
Benefits: this can help performers who need to lose weight.
Diuretics may also be used to reduce the concentration of any
other banned substance that may be present in the urine.
Side effects: dehydration, which can cause dizziness, muscle
cramps, headaches and nausea.

Question 6

What are Peptide Hormones?

Answer 6

Peptide hormones: increases the rate of maturation of red blood
cells.
Benefits: Increase muscles growth, assist in recovery from injury and
heavy training sessions. All the body to carry extra oxygen, and
disperse waste products and lactic acid.
Side effects: Blood becomes thicker, which makes it more difficult
to pass through the small capillaries and increases the risk of heart
attack or stroke.

Question 7

What are growth hormones?

Answer 7

Growth hormones (GH): is used to increase their muscles
development (very similar to steroids).
Benefits: Increase muscles growth (strength and size). Not as many
side effects as steroids.
Side effects: Minimal side effects, can be detected by a blood test
and not in your urine.

Question 8

What are stimulants?

Answer 8

Stimulants: drugs that have an effect on the central nervous system,
such as/ or physical alertness. E.g. amphetamines, ephedrine and
cocaine, as well as nicotine and caffeine.
Benefits: Increase alertness, enabling people to think more by
stimulating the central nervous system. Overcome tiredness.
Reduce the effects of lactic acid on muscles.
Side effects: insomnia, irregular/ increased heart beat, high blood
pressure and addiction.

Question 9

What is blood doping?

Answer 9

This is a process where you take blood out of the system, exercise and re-inject the blood. This creates more red blood cells allowing more oxygen to flow round the body