PEDs In Sport

Performance Enhancing Drugs

Drug	Effect on Performance	Health Risks	Which Sports
Anabolic Agents	Allows performers to train longer and harder It increases protein synthesis helping develop lean muscle mass and speeds up recovery time	• Liver damage/CHD • Testicular atrophy • Infertility • Skin problems • Mood swings • Aggression • Baldness	Activities that require power: • Sprinters • Rugby players • Weightlifting • Boxers • Baseball
Beta Blockers	Beta blockers improve fine motor control by slowing heart rate and reducing anxiety which allow the performer to remain calm and controlled	• Nausea • Sleep disturbance • Tiredness/weakness • Lower blood pressure • Slow heart rate	Activities that require precision: • Archery/shooting • Snooker • Gymnastics
Diuretics	Diuretics achieve quick weight loss (fluids). They also mask other drugs making them harder to detect	• Dehydration • Nausea • headaches • Heart/kidney failure	Drug cheats and sports with weight categories: • Boxing • Jockey
Narcotic Analgesics	Narcotic analgesics increases the performers pain threshold so can mask injuries, also give a feeling of invincibility	• Nausea/vomiting • Anxiety/depression • Kidney/liver damage • Addiction • Risk further injury	Any sport that a performer is injured: • Boxers • Sprinters • Football
Peptide Hormones	EPO Erythropoietin (EPO) Can increase red blood cell production increasing O₂ delivery HGH Human Growth Hormone Helps muscle mass and burns fat	• Thickening of blood • Blood clots • Strokes • Heart attack • Arthritis • Heart failure • Abnormal feet/hands	Aerobic events e.g. long distance: • Running • Cycling Strength events: • Weightlifting • Sprinting • Rugby
Stimulants	Stimulants increase alertness, reduce tiredness and increase heart rate (therefore oxygen delivery)	• Insomnia • Anxiety • Aggression • Irregular heart rate	Alert/aggressive sports: • Rugby • Boxing • Ice hockey
Blood Doping	Blood doping involves the removal of blood a few weeks prior to competition. The blood is frozen and re-injected just before competition (increase red blood cells)	• Infection • Thickening of blood (viscosity) • Heart attack • Embolism (blockage of vessel)	Aerobic events e.g. long distance: • Running/cycling • Cycling • Swimming • Games players

Advantages to the performer from taking PED's

1. Level playing field: If every athlete were to take them, it would make things equal when competing.

2. Fame: The more successful you are, the more famous you can become owing to more publicity.

3. Wealth: If you are successful, you are more likely to win more prize money and attract sponsorship deals.

4. Increase chance of success: An archer taking beta blockers to reduce anxiety may be more accurate and have a greater chance of winning.

Disadvantages to the performer from taking PED's

1. Cheating/immoral: If caught, everyone will know you cheated.

2. Fines: If caught, you may have to pay an expensive fine.

3. Bans: If caught, you will not be able to compete. When the ban is over, you may be past your peak fitness.

4. Damage to reputation: If caught, you will not be able to compete, and when the ban is over, you may be past your peak fitness.

5. Associated health risks: Many performance-enhancing drugs have health risks. Taking diuretics can cause kidney damage.

Disadvantages to the Sport when performers take PED's

1. A Bad reputation: If a performer takes drugs, the sport may not get the respect it deserves.

2. Poor credibility: If a performer takes drugs, the sport may be seen as untrustworthy or unreliable.