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4005SEP
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- Coventry University (West Midlands) (CU)
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4005SEP – NOTESDrugs in Sport and exercise
Why are drugs used in sport and exercise?
Athletic life may lead to drug abuse for a number of reasons
Athletes are expected to perform to an elite level in their designated sports and therefore to
uphold this reputation they may turn to performance enhancing drugs.
Performance enhancing drugs can alter different chemicals in the body to fulfil their
designated purpose;
To self-treat mental illness
Deal with stressors such as pressure to perform
Injuries – physical pain quicker recovery than the body would naturally do
Primarily however, drugs are used due to the amount of money associated with winning
sporting events in the modern era. Multimillion dollar contracts, appearance fees,
international endorsement, as well as sports merchandising who have a billion-dollar
industry behind them.
,.
Types of drugs commonly used in sport;
Anabolic steroids – stimulates muscle tissue to grow whilst decreasing fat, commonly used
by weightlifters or bodybuilders.
In addition to this, athletes who use this compound often experience increase in muscle
strength meaning they can train more often for longer periods of time as well as having
improved recovery times.
Diuretics – also known as water pills, increase the amount of water and salt expelled
through from body as urine.
Substance use rates among different populations:
Anabolic steroids;
Used by 0.7 – 6.6% of high school students
0.2-5% for college male athletes
9% of professional footballers at some point in their career
, 67% competitive powerlifters at some point in their career
These are very high percentages, as expected powerlifters top the scale due to the nature of
anabolics and increased muscle strength however the use among high school students is
surprisingly alarming.
How is testing done for drugs?
2 types of anti-doping tests; blood and urine currently in operation
Athletes can be asked to provide a sample of any of the two – specifically 90 millilitres.
Athletes are now accompanied by officials to take this sample due to there being instances
where athletes use another person’s urine sample and submit this to try and cheat the
system.
Scientists In a lab then check these samples for traces of any banned substances using
sensitive testing.
It is assumed that most if not all doping agents have side effects for an athlete, especially in
the high doses they are used in.
These range from but are not limited to; decreased testicular size, prostate cancer, high
blood pressure, arthritis, voice deepening in females, rupture of tendons.
This knowledge about side effects is gained primarily through empirical observations and
reports from admitted users due to the fact that it is unethical to give research participants
the high level of doses athletes take in order to establish a cause and effect.
1. A strategy to reduce the use of illicit drugs in elite Australian football was carried
out by Monash university by Peter R Harcourt, Harry Unglik, Jill L Cook
Conventionally, drugs are tested for on match days but not on non-match days. These
researchers decided to test athletes on non-match days as it was becoming apparent that
athletes were using drugs away from competition time to avoid being caught – however
this still poses a serious health and welfare issue.
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