GCSE Physical Education Performance Enhancing & Recreational Drugs

Learning Objectives By the end of this lesson pupils should: Know about the different categories of drugs (performance-enhancing and recreational) Be able to explain the impact of performance-enhancing drugs on wellbeing and performance Be able to explain the effects of smoking and alcohol on general health

What is a drug? A drug is a substance that can be taken in a variety of ways to produce expected and welcome physical and or psychological effects on the person taking it Drugs may also cause some effects that are both unpleasant and unwanted. These are known as side-effects. There are two main categories of drugs: - Performance-enhancing - Recreational

Performance-Enhancing Drugs

Performance enhancing drugs can enhance a person’s performance in some way, either in physical activity and training, or daily life. Performance-enhancing drugs include: Anabolic steroids Beta blockers Diuretics Narcotic analgesics Stimulants Peptide Hormones (erythropoietin/EPO)

Anabolic Steroids

Drugs that mimic the male sex hormone testosterone and promote bone and muscle growth The most commonly used to enhance performance in sport, because they produce improvement quickly They increase muscle mass and develop bone growth, therefore increasing strength while at the same time allowing the athlete to train hard and recover quicker

Anabolic Steroids Steroids increase aggression and some athletes take it mainly for this reason. The other side effects for anabolic steroids include: - Deepening of voice and growth of facial hair - Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes - High blood pressure - Liver disease - Increased risk of muscle injury - Infertility in women - Death

Beta Blockers

Drugs that are used to control the heart rate and have a calming and relaxing effect Commonly prescribed for people with heart problems as they maintain a low heart rate and lower blood pressure. As a result stress levels and anxiety are reduced Used in target sports where steadiness and precision are required, because they reduce the heart rate

Beta Blockers Beta Blockers can reduce a fit person’s heart rate to a dangerous level. The other side-effects of beta blockers include: - Nausea and diarrhoea - Tiredness - Depression - Insomnia and nightmares

Diuretics

Diuretics

Diuretics Drugs that elevate the rate of urine reduction Certain foods are natural diuretics, but some synthetic diuretics are banned Diuretics increase the amount of urine produced and increase kidney function, therefore speeding up the elimination of fluid from the body This can help performers who need to lose weight, such as boxers and jockeys.

Diuretics Diuretics are also taken to reduce the concentration of other banned substances in the urine. The side effects of diuretics include: - Dehydration - Dizziness and nausea - Muscle cramps - Kidney failure

Narcotic Analgesics

Drugs that can be used to relieve pain These are used more commonly in combat sports as well as used to return to sport more quickly after injury These drugs act by depressing the central nervous system and give relief from pain injuries However by allowing an injured player to take part, can increase the risk of severe injury

Narcotic Analgesics As well as heightening the risk of getting longer lasting injuries, the side effects of narcotic analgesics include: - Loss of concentration - Loss of balance - Loss of coordination - Emotional effects, including hallucinations

Stimulants

Stimulants

Stimulants

Stimulants Drugs that have an effect on the central nervous system, such as increased mental and/or physical alertness This group includes amphetamines, ephedrine, and cocaine as well as caffeine and nicotine They increase alertness by stimulating the CNS and help overcome tiredness

Stimulants Stimulants are also used recreationally as well as to enhance performance, the side effects of stimulants include: - Insomnia - Irritability - Irregular heart beat - Increased heart rate - High blood pressure - Addiction

Peptide Hormones & EPO

Drugs that cause other hormones to be produced As well as increasing muscle growth and helping with recovery, they increase the number of red blood cells, allow the body to carry extra oxygen We produce hormones naturally, but they can be synthetically produced by drugs

Peptide Hormones & EPO Human growth hormones (HGH) increase muscle development, which is why these are used by several sports participants HGH is thought to have fewer side-effects than steroids Erythropoietin (EPO) is used to treat people with anaemia and it increases the production of red blood cells and therefore the amount of haemoglobin available to take up oxygen

Recreational Drugs

Most people use recreational drugs on a regular basis. The obvious ones are caffeine, nicotine and ethanol (alcohol) Although these drugs are legal, they can still have quite negative side effects such as: - Addiction - Stained teeth and gum disease - Lung cancer - Heart problems - Contribution to death

Smoking & Nicotine

Smoking damages the cardiovascular system, in particular the heart and the oxygen- carrying capacity of the blood, and the blood vessels This has a negative effect on fitness, especially aerobic fitness, and often results in poorer performance Nicotine, the drug contained in cigarettes, is a stimulant which raises alertness and is highly addictive

Alcohol

Alcohol Alcohol is banned in sports such as shooting and archery, where it may be used as a sedative (have a calming effect) It is also banned in sports where it is considered a safety risk, such as motor sports, because it slows down reaction times and impairs judgement The long-term effects of alcohol include a form of liver damage known as cirrhosis

Learning Objectives (Revisited) By the end of this lesson pupils should: Know about the different categories of drugs (performance-enhancing and recreational) Be able to explain the impact of performance-enhancing drugs on wellbeing and performance Be able to explain the effects of smoking and alcohol on general health

Thank you Any questions, please do not hesitate to ask