DRUGS IN SPORT RECREATIONAL DRUGS

DRUGS IN SPORTS Today’s athletes continue to push the boundaries of excellence in performance and physical fitness. Helping them are refined training methods and technologies. Never have athletes had more training aids at their disposal. And never have athletes had more opportunities to cheat, mainly through the proliferation of performance-enhancing drugs.

MEET THE ATHLETES DonMikeJames Don Mike and James perform regular fitness testing including the Bleep test

I’m worried about these three. Their beep tests have got worse Look at the data below and see if you agree: DonMikeJames Beep test result from last year 1413 Previous month’s average beep test score Current average beep test score 9910 I’m worried about these three. Their beep tests have got worse Look at the data below and see if you agree:

The athletes reported for a medical. The following symptoms were recorded DonMikeJames Current average beep test score 9910 Pulse rate Recovery rate (time it takes for pulse to recover after exercise) Other symptoms Breath smells Coughs a lot Wheezing Thirsty Balance poor Headaches Loss of appetite Tired Shaking Hunger cravings (munchies) Dry mouth Poor coordination Red eyes paranoia

I suspect these athletes might be addicted to some substances that are affecting their health Do you agree? Likely substances include Alcohol Cannabis Tobacco

DRUGS IN SPORTS The all-embracing word “DRUGS” cover a wide range of substances

DRUGS IN SPORTS Some of these are used on a regular basis by many of us. The obvious ones are CAFFEINE which we use in tea and coffee, NICOTINE which people use in smoking and ETHANOL which is more commonly known as alcohol.

DRUGS IN SPORTS Caffeine

DRUGS IN SPORTS Nicotine

DRUGS IN SPORTS Alcohol

DRUGS IN SPORTS There are other drugs that we use on a less frequent basis. These are referred to as MEDICINES. These could be described as “SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE” because they are not illegal.

DRUGS IN SPORTS Prescription Drugs

DRUGS IN SPORTS There are also drugs that come under the term “SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE” and these are illegal. Heroin Cocaine LSD Amphetamines Barbiturates Cannabis and ecstasy

DRUGS IN SPORTS Heroin Heroin is converted into morphine, which mimics the action of endorphins, creating a sense of well-being; the characteristic euphoria has been described as an “orgasm” centred in the gut. One of the most common methods of heroin use is via intravenous injection.

DRUGS IN SPORTS Cocaine It is both a stimulant of the central nervous system and an appetite suppressant, giving rise to what has been described as a euphoric sense of happiness and increased energy. It is most often used recreationally for this effect.

DRUGS IN SPORTS LSD LSD’s psychological effects (colloquially called a “trip”) vary greatly from person to person, depending on factors such as previous experiences, state of mind and environment, as well as dose strength.

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DRUGS IN SPORTS Amphetamines  a burst of energy, making the user talkative, restless and excited  accelerated heart rate and breathing  high-blood pressure  dry mouth and jaw clenching  sweating  dilated pupils  loss of appetite

DRUGS IN SPORTS Barbiturates Barbiturates are sedative drugs which slow down the central nervous system in a similar way to alcohol. A small dose will make people feel relaxed, sociable and good humoured. With larger doses hostility and anxiety are common effects and slurred speech, loss of co-ordination and difficulty staying awake may follow. Falling over and accidents become more likely.

DRUGS IN SPORTS Cannabis  Cannabis has a number of different effects. It is classed as a sedating and hallucinogenic drug. Its effects can turn out to be pleasant or unpleasant:  It can make you feel very hungry – this is sometimes called ‘getting the munchies'.  Cannabis may cause feelings of anxiety, suspicion, panic and paranoia.

DRUGS IN SPORTS What is a Drug? “A substance that can be taken in a variety of ways to produce physical and/or psychological effects on the person taking it.”

DRUGS IN SPORTS Drugs may also cause some effects that are both unpleasant and unwanted. They can become addictive

DRUGS IN SPORTS Drugs may also cause some effects that are both unpleasant and unwanted. Smoking damages the heart and oxygen carrying capability of the blood. It is also a contributing factor to coronary heart disease. Long term effects of alcohol include liver damage.

DRUGS IN SPORTS Drugs may also cause some effects that are both unpleasant and unwanted. Both alcohol and caffeine cause extra urine to be disposed of, therefore add to the risks of dehydration.

DRUGS IN SPORTS Drugs may also cause some effects that are both unpleasant and unwanted. Hallucinogenic drugs can cause paranoia and long term mental health issues Heroin, Cocaine and amphetamines can cause dehydration heart problems and nervous damage Barbiturates can cause long term nervous damage and loss of brain function

WADA’S GUIDELINES ON RECREATIONAL DRUGS  Athletes regularly consume recreational substances such as caffeine and alcohol.  Caffeine has been subjected to the World Anti-Doping Association guidelines (2005) that only permits its use within recreational or social limits as caffeine has been shown to improve performance.  Alcohol has also been subjected to strict guidelines in certain dangerous sports (such as car racing, archery and shooting), due to its negative effects on performance.  Other substances such as marijuana, ecstasy, speed, cocaine and methamphetamines are subject to individual doping control guidelines, but contribute little to improving performance

MARIJUANA, ECSTASY, SPEED, COCAINE AND METHAMPHETAMINES Such drugs actually either suppress or overstimulate, which can alter alertness, reaction time, co-ordination, endurance capacity and overall performance, thus their use is more for social benefit, rather than performance enhancement

MARIJUANA, ECSTASY, SPEED, COCAINE AND METHAMPHETAMINES  It could be considered that since these substances do not enhance performance, and are taken for recreational purposes, they should not be tested for, despite the obvious harm they can cause.  It is the athlete’s choice to take them after obtaining them illegally (such substances are considered illegal in many countries), and as such, the athlete should be subjected to common law in society rather than anti-doping law in sport.

TASK Design a poster from the information you have collected regarding the use of drugs and their effect on athletes. Your poster should; 1.Carry a negative message about recreational drugs 2.Inform the reader of the name and effect of the drug 3.Why athletes take the drug 4.What are the effects on an athletes performance 5.What are the possible effects on an athletes career