Drugs and Sport (Leaving Cert Physical Education): Revision Notes

Drugs and Sport

Doping (Illegal Substances)

Doping refers to the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) that violate the rules of sports. These substances give athletes an unfair advantage and undermine the principles of fair competition.

Commonly Used Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs):

• Anabolic steroids: Increase muscle mass and strength.
• Erythropoietin (EPO): Enhances endurance by increasing red blood cell production.
• Blood doping: Increases oxygen delivery to muscles for improved endurance.
• Stimulants: Boost energy levels and alertness, but can overstimulate the body.

Irish Anti-Doping Rules

Sport Ireland is responsible for anti-doping enforcement in Ireland, ensuring all NGBs comply with WADA guidelines. Athletes are subject to random testing, and strict liability applies, meaning athletes are responsible for any prohibited substances found in their system, regardless of how they got there.

The Sport Ireland Anti-Doping Programme includes:

1. A robust testing programme.
2. Education programmes to inform athletes about the dangers of doping.
3. Research on the prevention and detection of doping.
4. Constant updates to national and international doping standards.
5. Guidelines to ensure athletes know their rights and responsibilities in relation to testing.

Knowledge Check:

1. What is a dietary supplement?
2. Define the term "ergogenic aid".
3. Explain what a high-risk supplement is.
4. What three things does Sport Ireland recommend performers assess before taking supplements?

Practical Task:

Investigate the effects of doping on a named sport. Consider both the physical health impacts on athletes and the reputational damage to the sport.

Performance-Enhancing Drugs

1. Stimulants
2. Anabolic Steroids
3. Narcotics
4. Peptide Hormones
5. Beta-2 Agonists
6. Diuretics
7. Blood-Doping

Stimulants

Stimulants boost body functions, including heart rate and brain activity, providing a temporary increase in physical and mental alertness. These drugs are commonly used in all sports to enhance performance, but they come with risks such as addiction and cardiovascular issues.

Example:

• Cocaine: Used to increase alertness and energy levels during competition, but poses significant health risks including heart attacks and strokes.

Anabolic Steroids

Stimulate muscle growth, allowing athletes to train harder and recover faster. They are commonly used in bodybuilding, strength sports, swimming, cycling, soccer, and track events. However, their use can lead to severe health issues such as liver damage, hormonal imbalances, and increased aggression.

Example:

• Testosterone: Used to enhance muscle mass and strength, but can cause significant side effects like liver damage and infertility.

Narcotics

Used to reduce pain from injuries, allowing athletes to continue competing despite discomfort. They are commonly used across all sports. The use of narcotics can lead to addiction and decreased performance due to impaired cognitive functions.

Example:

• Morphine: Used to manage severe pain, but can lead to dependency and decreased mental acuity.

Peptide Hormones

Improve muscle growth and increase the production of red blood cells, enhancing oxygen delivery to muscles. They are commonly used in bodybuilding, strength sports, swimming, cycling, soccer, and track events. Despite their benefits, they can cause significant side effects like abnormal bone and muscle growth and increased risk of heart disease.

Example:

• Human Growth Hormone (HGH): Used to stimulate muscle growth and improve recovery, but can lead to joint pain and insulin resistance.

Beta-2 Agonists

Relax the airways, allowing more oxygen to reach the blood, which enhances endurance and performance. They are commonly used across all sports. These drugs can cause side effects such as tremors, headaches, and increased heart rate.

Example:

• Salbutamol: Used to treat asthma and improve breathing, but can cause nervousness and irregular heartbeat.

Diuretics

Act as masking agents and facilitate rapid weight loss by increasing urine production. They are commonly used in weight-category sports to meet specific weight requirements. The use of diuretics can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and kidney damage.

Example:

• Caffeine: Used to promote weight loss and improve performance, but can cause dehydration and increased heart rate.

Blood Doping

Increases the concentration of red blood cells, enabling more oxygenated blood to reach the muscles, which improves endurance. It is commonly used in endurance events such as cycling and long-distance running. Blood doping can lead to serious health risks such as blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

Example:

• Erythropoietin (EPO): Used to increase red blood cell production and enhance endurance, but can cause high blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease.

Implications of Performance-Enhancing Drugs

Positive Implications for the Performer

Enhance physical capabilities, allowing for more frequent and intense training sessions and faster recovery times. Athletes using PEDs can push their bodies beyond natural limits, leading to significant short-term performance improvements.

Example:

• Increased Training Capacity: Athletes can train harder and more often, leading to improved performance. For instance, a weightlifter using anabolic steroids may be able to increase the intensity and frequency of their workouts, resulting in greater muscle mass and lifting capacity.

Positive Implications for Sport

Records being broken and higher levels of performance, attracting more spectators and media attention. Enhanced performances can create more exciting and competitive events, boosting the sport's popularity and financial success.

Example:

• Exciting Performances: Enhanced abilities can lead to more thrilling and competitive events, drawing larger audiences. For example, record-breaking sprints or extraordinary feats of strength can captivate audiences and increase viewership, sponsorship, and revenue for the sport.

Negative Implications for the Performer

Serious health risks, including illness and death, guilt from being caught cheating, and sanctions and fines. The use of PEDs can lead to severe physical and psychological side effects, as well as legal and career consequences.

Example:

• Health Dangers: PEDs can cause severe side effects such as heart problems, hormonal imbalances, and mental health issues. For instance, anabolic steroids can lead to liver damage, cardiovascular disease, and increased aggression, significantly harming the athlete's long-term health and well-being.

Negative Implications for Sport

Loss of reputation, illness and death of competitors, and sceptical viewership. The prevalence of PED use can undermine the integrity of the sport, leading to a loss of trust among fans and sponsors.

Example:

• Damaged Integrity: The use of PEDs can lead to a loss of trust in the sport, with fans doubting the fairness and legitimacy of competitions. For example, if a high-profile athlete is found to be using PEDs, it can tarnish the sport's reputation, leading to decreased viewership and sponsorship, and casting doubt on the achievements of all athletes within the sport.

Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE):

Athletes who have legitimate medical conditions can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to use substances that are otherwise banned. This allows them to treat their condition without violating doping regulations.