Evaluate the effects that different performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) may have on a sprinter’s performance - AQA - GCSE Physical Education - Question 11 - 2020 - Paper 1

1. Stimulants: These drugs can make a sprinter more alert and improve reaction times, potentially leading to faster starts. However, they can also mask pain, leading athletes to ignore injuries.
2. Narcotic Analgesics: These painkillers can provide relief, enabling the sprinter to push through discomfort, but they may increase the risk of further injury due to decreased sensitivity to pain.
3. Anabolic Agents: These substances enhance muscle mass and strength, helping sprinters to improve their explosive power and speed but may pose serious health risks including hormonal imbalances.
4. Peptide Hormones (EPO): EPO increases red blood cell production, improving oxygen delivery to muscles, thereby potentially enhancing endurance and recovery, which is vital for sprinters during training.
5. Diuretics: While typically used for weight management, they can also enhance performance by reducing body weight, but they carry risks associated with dehydration.
6. Beta Blockers: While primarily used to manage anxiety and heart rates, their effects might reduce a sprinter’s performance-related agitation but can hinder physical performance.

Stimulants can be beneficial as they enhance alertness and improve reaction times. However, the risk of masking pain and injury is significant.

Narcotic analgesics can temporarily disable pain perception but can easily lead to misuse and serious injury due to lack of signals indicating overexertion.

Anabolic agents show substantial positive effects on muscle growth and strength, which are crucial for sprinting performance; however, side effects and long-term health implications are concerning.

EPO enhances endurance and recovery, directly benefiting sprinters in training. Nonetheless, overuse is dangerous and can lead to health complications.

Diuretics may provide a temporary advantage by improving weight-to-power ratio, yet the risks of dehydration and its complications can severely hinder performance.

Beta blockers may help manage anxiety, but they can also reduce heart rate and performance because of their sedative effects. Therefore, while PEDs may enhance performance in the short term, the potential for negative health impacts and ethical concerns must be considered.