Performance Enhancing Methods & Substances

1. Performance Enhancing Methods & Substances

2. Ergogenic Aids With better dope testing methods and hence the possibilities of detection and life ban from the sport, athletes and coaches are looking for legal ways to improve performance and/or hasten recovery. The various ways by which performance can be improved are known as Ergogenic Aids. • Ergogenic Aids may: • directly influence the physiological capacity of a particular body system thereby improving performance • remove psychological constraints which impact performance • increase the speed of recovery from training and competition

3. Altitude Training • The environment is completely different at high altitude compared to that at sea level - the air is thinner and temperatures are usually much colder. In order to survive at high altitude, it is necessary to acclimatise. • This means that changes occur in the body so that it can cope with the shortage of oxygen

4. Effects of Altitude Training • Many of the changes that occur with acclimatisation improve the delivery of oxygen to the muscles -the theory being that more oxygen will lead to better performance • Immediate Effects include: -increased breathing rate -increased heart rate -giddiness, nausea, headaches, sleeplessness -decrease in VO2 max. For every 300 metres above 1000 metres VO2max decreases by approximately 2.6%.

5. Effects of Altitude Training • Long term effects include of continued exposure to altitude include are -increased erythrocite volume, -increased haemoglobin volume and concentration, -increased blood viscosity -increased capillarisation -continued lower V02max -decreased lactic acid tolerance -reduced stroke volume.

6. Effects of Altitude Training • Drawbacks include -poor facilities -strange diet -different surroundings -homesickness -time change and problems in travelling to the training venue -aerobic fitness may slowly decrease -increased recovery time

7. Collingwood F.C • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn6eK64Duqc&feature=player_detailpage • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnsNavQepdA&feature=related • Complete Handout

8. Creatine Supplementation • Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in large amounts in skeletal muscle as a result of dietary intake and endogenous synthesis from amino acids • Creatine monohydrate is the • most practical form for • supplementation with creatine

9. Effects of Creatine Supplementation • Benefits include -enhance the performance of exercise involving repeated sprints or bouts of high intensity exercise, separated by short recovery intervals -lesser dependence on anaerobic glycolysis for the resynthesis of ATP -Increased muscle bulk -Decreased fatigue -Decreased recovery time -Improved performance.

10. Effects of Creatine Supplementation • Side Effects include -Gastrointestinal upset -Tendon injury -Headaches -Hepatic and renal dysfunction -Muscle Cramps -Overuse could potentially have a harmful effect on liver and kidney function

11. Enhancement of Oxygen Transfer • Blood doping is the administration of red blood cells to an athlete to increase his blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. • Blood doping consists of techniques administered for non-medical reasons to healthy athletes in order to improve the blood oxygen-carrying capacity, increasing oxygen delivery to the muscles, particularly in conditions of demanding physical exercise.  • Examples include injecting an athlete with someone else’s red blood cells; removing own blood two to three months before competition, storing it, and then returning it once body has compensated blood volume loss finally resulting in a raised blood volume.

12. Enhancement of Oxygen Transfer • Benefits: -Blood doping increases the number of red blood cells, which in turn enhances the capacity to supply the muscles with oxygen. • Side effects: -heightened stress on the heart and circulatory system -high blood pressure and thrombosis -risk of complications during transfusion due to incompatibilities and allergies when doping with heterologous (third-party) blood -sense of uneasiness, anxiety and abdominal pain -risk of infection with diseases such as hepatitis and HIV

13. Gene Doping • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivzs6ji7mMs • Gene doping is a form of gene modification similar to gene therapy, but rather than altering genes to treat or prevent an illness, they are changed to make normal genes perform differently. • An example of gene doping could involve the recreational use of gene therapies intended to treat muscle-wasting disorders. Other applications include increasing muscle growth, blood production, endurance, oxygen dispersal and pain perception

14. Steroids Anabolic steroids, technically known as anabolic androgen steroids (AAS). They are synthetically produced to act as the male hormone testosterone which functions include: -increased numbers of red blood cells -improved calcium deposition in the bones -muscle enlargement -increased body hair -thickening of vocal chords -growth and development of the prostate gland

15. Effects of Anabolic Steroids • Benefits: Anabolic steroids are used because of their ability to improve performance by increasing muscle mass and decreasing body fat, so their use depends on the type of sport undertaken. • They help the body metabolize ingested proteins and facilitate the synthesis of skeletal muscle. • They also delay fatigue and may create a feeling of euphoria

16. Effects of Anabolic Steroids • Side Effects: -prematurely stunted growth -acne -fluid retention -oily skin -excessive hair growth -high blood pressure -increased risk of cancer -increased risk of heart & liver -reduction in HDL-C disease -changes in blood coagulation -reduced sperm count -infertility -baldness -interruption of the menstrual cycle -liver tumours -increased aggressive behaviour -heart attacks or strokes

17. Growth Hormones • Human Growth hormone (hGH) is also sometimes known as somatotrophic hormone or somatotrophin. It is produced by the pituitary gland and is essential for normal growth and development. hGH is anabolic, meaning it accelerates protein synthesis and also aids the metabolism (breaking down) of fat stores

18. Effects of Growth Hormones • Athletes involved in powerful, strength demanding sports and events (weight lifting, body building, American football etc) are most likely to use hGH due to its perceived anabolic effect: -Increased muscle mass -Decreased fat stores -Accelerated muscle recovery • Studies however, have shown no increases in muscle size or strength following injection with hGH. A common practice among body-builders and weight-lifters is to combine hGH and anabolic steroids, with recent research demonstrating beneficial effects.

19. Effect of Growth Hormones • Side Effects: -Arthritis -Diabetes -Impotence -Osteoporosis -Menstrual irregularities in women -Giantism -Swelling of body part and organs -Decrease of the cardiac muscle -Cardiac failure

20. Erythropoietin Erythropoietin (EPO): A hormone produced by the kidney that promotes the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. EPO is a glycoprotein (a protein with a sugar attached to it). EPO is the prime regulator of red blood cell production. Its major functions are to promote the differentiation and development of red blood cells and to initiate the production of hemoglobin, the molecule within red cells that transports oxygen. * List some of the physiological benefits of EPO

21. Effects ofErythropoietin • Benefits: Increase in Red blood cells = increase in haemoglobin = Better oxygen transportation = higher rate of aerobic respiration = the higher the level at which the athlete can work without utilising the anaerobic systems which produce lactic acid and cause fatigue.

22. Effects ofErythropoietin • Side effects: • Increased viscosity (thickness) of the blood (which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke) • Fever • Seizures (fits) • Nausea • Headache • Anxiety • Lethargy

23. Diuretics & Masking Agents • Their purpose is to remove excess water from the body although each type of diuretic does this in a different way. • Diuretics are not used to enhance performance. If anything they have a detrimental effect on performance as they cause dehydration. Diuretics are used for two reasons. 1) To loose weight rapidly in sports which require the athlete to be within a set weight limit. 2) To dilute the presence of illegal substances and aid their excretion.

24. Effects of Diuretics & Masking Agents • Side Effects: -Dehydration -Hypotension (low blood pressure) -Muscle Cramps -Electrolyte disturbances (alterations in the levels of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and chloride) -Muscle weakness -Seizures (or fits/convulsions) -Gout (caused by a build-up of uric acid) -Fatigue

25. Stimulants • Stimulants is a generic term used to describe various substances that are ingested by athletes into the human body for the purpose of increasing alertness or general physical performance. • Common stimulants that have been typically utilized by athletes in various disciplines are: -caffeine, amphetamines (including benzedrine, ephedrine and methamphetamine) -cocaine in its various forms.

26. Effects of Stimulants -suppress appetite -reduce fatigue -increase alertness and aggressiveness. -stimulate the central nervous system -increasing your heart rate -increase blood pressure -increase body temperature -increase metabolism

27. Effects of Stimulants Side Effects: • Nervousness and irritability • Insomnia • Athlete may become psychologically addicted or develop a tolerance so that they need greater amounts to achieve the desired effect. • Hallucinations • Convulsions • Brain hemorrhage • Heart attack and other circulatory problems • Heart palpitations • Heart rhythm abnormalities • Weight loss • Mild hypertension

28. Beta Blockers • Beta-blockers are a type of drug that block the action of the sympathetic nervous system of the heart, resulting in a relief of stress on the heart. • A beta-blocker blocks beta-adrenergic substances, for example adrenaline (apinephrine) in the involuntary nervous system (autononomic nervous system). Beta-blockers slow down the heart beat, reduce the force of the heart muscle's contractions, and decrease blood vessel contraction in the heart, brain, and the rest of the body. 

29. Beta Blockers

30. Effect of Beta Blockers Side Effects: -Cold feet -Cold hands -Diarrhoea -Fatigue -Nausea -Very slow heartbeat -Sleeping difficulties and disturbances -Bad dreams (nightmares) -Erectile dysfunction Benefits: They give the athlete more control because they calm their nerves, decrease tremors and improve steadiness by reducing heir heart rate. May be used in sports such as diving, shooting, archery and gymnastics.

31. Illegal Group Substances Used for Side Effects Stimulants Ephedrine, amphetamines, cocaine and caffeine Mask intolerance to lactic acid. Increase alertness, competitiveness and aggression. Anxiety, increased HR, irregular heart beat, dependence, depression, sleep disorders. Narcotics Codeine, morphine and opiates Used to reduced moderate to severe pain so that athletes can continue to play while injured. Dependence, respiratory failure. Anabolic Agents 1. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids -Synthetic protein building chemicals. Increase muscle bulk, power and strength. Training recovery is quicker and training intensity levels can also be higher. ‘Steroid rage’, acne, sudden death, tumours, liver damage, reproductive problems in females. Beta-Blockers Heart and blood pressure prescription drugs. Used to reduce blood pressure and pre-competition stress – relaxation. Hypotension, hypoglycemia, cardiac failure, asthma severity. Diuretics Kidney and liver prescription drugs. Weight reduction (water and electrolyte loss). Can be used to dilute illegal substances. Dehydration, cramps, muscle strains, irregular heart beat. Peptide and Polypeptide hormones Peptide – HGH and corticosteroids. Polypeptide – Erythroprotein (EPO) Peptide –increase muscle and bone development. Believed to offset the effects of steroids. Polypeptide – Increases RBC production. Peptide – Diabetes, hypotension, decreased immune function, heart failure. Polypeptide – Blood transfusion risks. Illegal Performance Enhancers