CHAPTER 16 PERFORMING-ENHANCING DRUGS

Why is there so much concern over drug use by athletes? 1. Well known athletes are seen as role models for young people 2. Drug used by athletes are intended to give an unfair advantage 3. Athletes using these drugs may be endangering their health

strychnine, cocaine and caffeine Historical Use of Drugs During the 1800 and 1900’s, 3 types of stimulants were reported used by athletes: strychnine, cocaine and caffeine

Strychnine First “known” stimulant used by athletes which today is best known as rat poison. In low doses, can act as a central nervous system stimulant In high doses, seizure activity can be produced resulting in convulsions which could paralyze respiration, which leads to death.

Cocaine Was also available in the in the 1800’s first in the form of Mariani’s cocoa wine (used by French cycling team) Referred in some advertisements as “wine for athletes” Athletes quickly adapted to “pure cocaine” when it became available

Caffeine A mild stimulant used by athletes in the early days It was discovered that it gives athletes quicker reaction and longer endurance. Too much can produce nervousness, irritability, anxiety, and sleeplessness

Amphetamines Stimulants believed to be first used by athletes in the 1930’s Believed to be ideal ergogenic drug for both training and competition because it was more potent than caffeine, longer lasting than cocaine and safer than strychnine ergogenic-producing work or energy: a general term for performance enhancement

Research has proven that stimulants such as amphetamines can enhance performance by increasing energy, endurance, power and strength but only by a small percentage. The other effect by using amphetamines is weight loss.

Amphetamines Athletes and others who use amphetamines regularly run the risk of developing a dependence on the drug, developing paranoid or violent behavior patterns, loss of energy, depression, overexertion because of fatigue mastering effects of the drug, anxiety, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, etc.

Amphetamines In 1968, the International Olympic Committee established rules requiring the disqualification of any competitor who refuses or is found guilty of using banned drugs after the death of cyclist Tommy Simpson, an ex-world champion, during the 1967 Tour de France. His death was seen on live on television and later was founded to be a direct linked death to the use of 2 types of amphetamines.

Ephedrine Another readily available stimulant used by athletes either as a drug or in the form of ephedra extract In the 1920’s, the ephedrine molecule was modified to produce amphetamine Immediately put on banned substances list by Olympic and NCAA officials with the exception of those who suffered from asthma (ephedrine relaxes brachial passages and is used in asthma medications) Like other stimulants, used mainly to provide extra energy and weight reduction In 2004, FDA banned ephedrine in dietary supplements after the death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Belcher who had “significant amounts” of ephedrine in his body at the time of his death

Steroids First used by Soviet athletes An American physician at the 1956 Olympics returned to the US and introduced this drug to American athletes (quickly adopted by weight lifters and bodybuilders The male sex hormone testosterone has 2 major types of effects; androgenic and anabolic Androgenic which also means “masculinizing” is responsible for actions such as initial growth of the penis, facial hair, deepening of the voice, etc. Anabolic which means promoting constructive metabolism or building tissue, is responsible for actions such as increased muscle mass, increased size of various internal organs, distribution of body fat, increased protein synthesis, increased calcium in the bones, etc. Drug companies synthesize steroids to have more anabolic than androgenic effects.

Effects of Steroids on Mind and Body Can cause depression once people stop taking drug which can greatly interfere with their social relationships May cause aggression due to so-called “roid-rage”, but not 100% sure if there is a such thing as “roid-rage” due to uncontrolled retrospective reports In young users, may stunt growth due to premature closing of growth plates of long bones Other effects include blood cysts in the liver, high blood pressure, heart disease, acne, baldness, atrophy of testes and breast enlargement in men Some side effects for women include mild acne, decreased breast size, fluid retention, enlargement of clitoris, increased facial hair, deepening of voice, etc.

Do steroids enhance performance? Depends on who you ask: The medical community says “no” because lack of scientific evidence while pretty much global society says “yes” because of visual and documented evidence Very controversial issue

Regulations of Steroids As part of Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1990, anabolic steroids became listed as a banned controlled substance requiring more record keeping and limited prescription refills.

Human Growth Hormone Also known as “HGH” is a pituitary hormone responsible for some types of gigantism Can greatly increase a persons height and weight to gigantic proportions especially during childhood and adolescence However excessive production or intake of this hormone can cause death at an early age because internal organs continually grows HGH may also increase lean body mass but not strength HGH was also included in the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1990 along with steroids as a banned substance

Beta 2 Agonists Clenbuterol was developed as a treatment for asthma and has similar but more specific effects than ephedrine or amphetamines May increase muscle mass and increase strength of selected muscle types but no evidence that it enhances athletic performance

Creatine A natural substance found in meat and fish; also food supplements Helps regenerate ATP which provides energy for muscle contractions Users tend to gain weight in which some is water weight Can help improve strength and short-term speed in sprinting No effect on longer endurance activities such as running and swimming

Summary Performance enhancing drugs have been used throughout history by all types of people such as athletes, entertainers and recreational exercisers. People who use these drugs are believed to have an unfair advantage over those who don’t use them. These drugs are not only unethical and immoral, but also very dangerous! The risks far outweighs the rewards.