Athletes and the Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs

What are Performance Enhancing Drugs PEDs? Performance-enhancing drugs are substances used to improve any form of activity performance in humans. Has been in existence at least since the original Olympic games from 776-393 BC Origin of the word doping derived from the Dutch word “Doop”, which is an opium juice, the drug choice of ancient Greeks

Disqualified! The first athlete to be disqualified for the use of drugs was Hans- Gunnar of Sweden He received a bronze medal, but post-event he was tested positive for alcohol and cocaine in his system

Pressures to perform better Today’s athletes face difficult choices in sports -To use drugs to enhance performance -To accept what could be called a competitive handicap that is to be in competition with others who may certainly be using PEDs -To make more money -To perform at their highest potential

How athletes get PEDs Medical doctors Trainers Coaches Pharmacists Parents

Drugs mostly used Anabolic steroids: increases growth in bones, muscles, red blood cells Human Growth Hormone: increase new protein tissues to help recovery and repair more quickly

Reasons to ban PEDs Respect for the rules of sports (Integrity) Recognition of natural talents Fairness on all levels of the game

Methods of detection Urine test: Athletes are told submit urine sample for testing. It is sent to the lab for analysis, and results are reported back the governing athletic agency (most commonly used) Blood test: Overtime, a blood profile can be built to determine average readings. This helps with blood doping test in the future Hair follicle: measures the drug molecules and their specific metabolites that are produced only after the drug has been processed by the human body.

Effects of PEDs Liver problems Mood swings (anger) Hypertension Blood clots Heart attacks/Stroke Will discover more in scavenger hunt

Consequence if used in sports May be ineligible for a season If tested positive more than once, they can be banned for up to a year/completely banned as a whole Stripped of titles Lead to a court hearing on national and international level

Athlete Scandals Ben Johnson Lance Armstrong Marion Jones