Ergogenic Aids Greek: Ergo = work Genic = create Do we need them? or/ Are they just a waste of money? Performance enhancing drugs & dietary supplements have been around for almost as long as athletes have competed. Ergogenic substances are usually banned from competition when a consensus is reached that they may provide a competitive edge

Facts & Fallacies Facts Fallacies -”We are a quick fix society” - “There is no magic bullet” - “Few ergogenic benefits are based on real science Supplement companies want to max their profits Fallacies - Supplement companies are out to improve your performance

Nutritional Aids Vitamins and minerals Protein and amino acids Steroids Carnitine Creatine Stimulants Diuretics

Vitamins and Minerals Studies have not shown improved exercise performance Athlete should increase food intake, resulting in dietary sources of vitamins Taking megadoses of vitamins and minerals can be harmful to the body Only useful in cases of clear deficiencies in athletes

Protein and Amino Acids Studies report excess amounts of protein intake can result in toxic levels in the body; Can produce elevated levels of urea, loss of water, and severe dehydration, cause muscle cramps; Protein powders can provide a simple source of protein and additional calories

Steroids Common with power athletes Increase the body’s lean muscle mass and strength Improves recovery from training loads Side effects: psychological and psychiatric conditions, breast growth, gigantism, skin disease, hypertension, and stroke

Carnitine Advertised as a “fat burner” Claims to decrease lactate production, increase V02max, and induce loss of body fat Found in meat and dairy products There is no support for claims that carnitine improves body composition or athletic performance

Creatine Popular supplement Naturally found in red and organ meats Claims to increase: increase speed, power, and strength Some studies have shown this to be true Adverse effects: kidney damage and muscle cramps More studies need to be done on the safety of long-term use (It took 30 years to figure out a diet high in saturated fats can cause heart disease)

Stimulants Used to reduce fatigue, suppress appetite and increase alertness and aggressiveness Common stimulants include amphetamines, caffeine and ephedrine Side effects: heart palpitations, heart rhythm abnormalities, weight loss, hypertension, hallucinations, convulsions, brain hemorrhage, heart attack and other circulatory problems

Diuretics Used by athletes who compete with weight limits (eg. Boxers and wrestlers) Cause rapid weight loss Side Effects: heart arrhythmias exhaustion, potassium deficiency muscle cramps a decreased ability to regulate body temperature

Other Pharmacological Aids Pain-Masking Drugs Prohormones Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Erythropoietin Local anaesthetics Corticosteroids Beta blockers

Physiological Aids Blood Doping Removal of one’s own red blood cells Give the body enough time to make more Re-inject removed blood cells, thereby increasing the total volume of oxygen-carrying red blood cells Higher red-cell count causes the heart to work harder and increases the risk of cardiac fatigue and heart failure Common in endurance sports

Why Do Athletes Performance Enhancers? To improve… Physical appearance Prevent and treat injuries, illness, or disease Peer pressure Cope with stress Increase athletic potential Bridge the “genetic gap”

Drug Testing Drug using athletes try to be one step ahead of the testers As tests improve athletes find new drugs, eg. designer drugs, that evade current tests because they resemble the body’s own chemicals Tests cannot discern between the athletes natural hormones or synthetic ones such as HGH or testosterone

Drug Testing Urine Tests Used to detect the presence of steroids, amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana and alcohol Urine tests are becoming more accurate and sensitive Can detect the presence of drugs up to 36 hours before sample collection Other Tests Patch test: Worn by athlete on the back upper arm or chest remains active for seven days after application Tamper proof