Performance-Enhancing Substances

Ergogenic Aids Defined Types of Ergogenic Aids Dietary Supplements Overview Ergogenic Aids Defined Types of Ergogenic Aids Dietary Supplements Anabolic Steroids, Blood Doping, EPO Dangerous Supplements

Ergogenic Aid Defined Any substance (performance enhancing drugs and dietary supplements) or phenomenon (i.e. altitude training, weight training…) taken or used for the purpose of improving sport performance

Types of Ergogenic Aids Ergogenic aids fall into the following categories: Mechanical Aids (i.e., resistance training) Dietary Supplements (i.e., vitamins) Physiological Aids (i.e., massage, altitude training) Psychological Aids (i.e., cheering) Drugs (i.e., anabolic steroids)

Types of Mechanical Aids Any physical object that affects sports performance They are usually safe Weights, Weighted Vests, Uphill/Downhill Running, Heart Rate Monitors, Parachutes, Treadmills, Solid Disk Wheels for Cycling Nasal Strips Streamlined Swimsuits Computers/video recorders - analyze VO2 max, technique, test results etc Weights Clothing and Footwear Timing Equipment

Dietary Supplements The sport supplement industry throughout the world has exploded, with more than 600 sport nutrition companies marketing over 4,000 products that produce annual sales of more than $4 billion in the United States alone

Dietary Supplements The distinction between a drug and a dietary supplement is linked to FDA approval for safety and effectiveness Definition of Products That Can Be Sold as Dietary Supplements: A product (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the diet that contains one or more of the following dietary ingredients: vitamin, mineral, amino acid, herb or other botanical The product must also be intended for ingestion and cannot be advertised for use as a conventional food or as the sole item within a meal or diet.

Dietary Supplements Regulation Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), the dietary supplement manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that a dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement product after it reaches the market Generally, manufacturers do not need to register their products with FDA nor get FDA approval before producing or selling dietary supplements. www.fda.gov

Buyer Beware Be aware of claims that the products being advertised will produce rapid results Beware of claims for products that seem unreasonably distorted e.g. "25 lbs of muscle in one month." Be aware of recommendations that have been taken from one study that supports the sale of the product Be cautious about recommendations that focus only on selling the product Be aware of recommendations that are taken from studies that have been published without peer review

Protein and Amino Acid Supplementation: Do They Work? “Heavy resistance exercise increases the rates of both protein synthesis and protein breakdown in muscle for some hours after a workout, but in the absence of food intake, the rate of breakdown exceeds the rate of synthesis. This means that if weightlifters do not eat after they work out, they actually begin to lose muscle mass” www.gssiweb.com

Protein and Amino Acid Supplementation: Do They Work? “It appears that only a small amount of food is required to produce an environment within the muscle that favors protein building, at least for a few hours. For example, ingesting a drink containing 6 grams of essential amino acids, either immediately prior to exercise or during the first few hours of recovery, seems to promote an “anabolic” environment within the muscle. Although not yet proven, this may lead to enhanced muscle growth during habitual training.” (www.gssiweb.com)

Protein and Amino Acid Supplementation: Do They Work? American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Dietetic Association (ADA), and Dietitians of Canada (DC) have concluded that athletes have only slightly higher protein requirements than do non-athletes The vast majority of athletes consume protein in their normal diets far in excess of any increased protein requirement. If good nutrition is followed and energy intake is sufficient to maintain body weight, athletes require about15% of their total caloric intake from protein and do not need to fortify their diets with expensive protein or amino acid supplements (www.gssiweb.com)

Caffeine A central nervous stimulant Ergogenic aid that may enhance performance in aerobic and anaerobic athletes “Recent, well-controlled studies have established that moderate doses of caffeine ingested 1 hour prior to exercise enhances the performance of certain types of endurance exercise in the laboratory. The results are specific to well-trained elite or recreational athletes. There is little information on the performance and metabolic effects of caffeine in recreationally active or untrained individuals” (www.gssiweb.com)

Caffeine Adverse Effects Anxiety Gastrointestinal Disturbances Restlessness Insomnia Tremors Heart Arrhythmias Increased Risk for Heat Illness Is physically addicting

L-Carnitine L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid which stimulates the breakdown of fat It transports fatty acids into the mitochondria Studies examining L-carnitine’s role as an ergogenic aid for increasing fat oxidation have not shown clear efficacy Studies show L-carnitine may enhance recovery from exercise

Creatine Creatine, in the form of creatine phosphate (CP), has an essential role in energy metabolism as a substance for the formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), especially during short-duration, high-intensity exercise.

Creatine 50% of creatine in our bodies is ingested through the foods we eat while the other 50% is made in the liver, kidney, and pancreas. Roughly one-third is in its free form as creatine, while the remainder is bound to phosphate (University of Maryland Medical Center) The primary dietary sources of creatine are: Fish: herring, salmon, tuna, cod Beef Pork

Creatine Supplementation Creatine supplementation has been shown to increase strength and improve training by reducing fatigue and enhancing post-workout recovery Body Mass Changes Prolonged creatine supplementation has been generally associated with increases in body weight, especially increases in fat-free mass

Creatine Side Effects Dehydration: Controlled studies have been unable to document any significant side effects from creatine supplementation Dehydration: Much of our body water follows creatine into skeletal muscle, possibly depriving our remaining tissues of much needed fluid, especially when exercising in hot and humid environments. this may lead to impaired thermoregulation and subsequent heat exhaustion

Creatine Side Effects Concerns include gastrointestinal disturbances and strain on the kidneys Gastrointestinal Distress: Stomach Cramps Nausea Flatulence Diarrhea These side effects are primarily due to the presence of large quantities of undisclosed creatine particles Hydration helps break down those undisclosed creatine particles

Nitric Oxide Nitric Oxide is synthesized by the body to help keep blood vessels relaxed and flexible Nitric Oxide supplementation (NO2) promises muscle hypertrophy, increases in muscle strength and recovery, and muscle pump There are no scientific studies showing NO2 supplementation directly increases nitric oxide levels in the blood by a significant level Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and weakness Very expensive-retails for $80.00

Anabolic Steroids The synthetic (man-made) derivatives of the male sex hormone, testosterone Anabolic refers to muscle-building Androgenic refers to increased masculine characteristics Steroids refers to the class of drugs

Anabolic Steroids Who Uses Anabolic Steroids? Olympic athletes, professional athletes, collegiate athletes, and high school athletes have been reported to use steroids Many users are not involved in sports; they use steroids to improve appearance Ergogenic Benefits Muscle Mass and Strength Increases in muscle protein synthesis with steroid use are likely responsible for increases in lean body mass Changes occur in both recreationally trained and competitive athletes

Anabolic Steroids Dosing Athletes typically use anabolic steroids in a “stacking” regimen, in which they administer several different drugs simultaneously Most users take anabolic steroids in a cyclic pattern, meaning that they use the drugs for several weeks or months and alternate these cycles with periods of discontinued use. Often athletes administer the drugs in a pyramid (step-up) pattern in which dosages are steadily increased over several weeks. Toward the end of the cycle, the athlete “steps down” to reduce the likelihood of negative side effects.

Anabolic Steroids Potential Female Side Effects: Masculinization Growth of facial hair Male-pattern baldness Changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle Enlargement of the clitoris Deepened voice Severe acne

Anabolic Steroids Potential Male Side Effects: Feminization: excessive levels of testosterone are converted into estrogen Gynecomastia: development of breasts Decreased testicular size Decreased sperm count Impotence Baldness Increased risk for prostate and liver cancer Acne

Anabolic Steroids Adolescents Growth halted prematurely through premature skeletal maturation and accelerated puberty changes. Risk remaining short for the remainder of their lives if they take anabolic steroids before the typical adolescent growth spurt People who inject anabolic steroids run the added risk of contracting or transmitting HIV/AIDS or hepatitis

Anabolic Steroids Anabolic steroids are available legally only by prescription, to treat conditions that occur when the body produces abnormally low amounts of testosterone, such as delayed puberty and some types of impotence They are also prescribed to treat body wasting in patients with AIDS and other diseases that result in loss of lean muscle mass

Blood Doping Blood doping refers to any illegal method of boosting an athlete's red blood cell supply in advance of competition Since red blood cells carry oxygen through the bloodstream, increasing their number allows an athlete's blood to deliver oxygen to muscles more efficiently, reducing fatigue and giving the athlete an edge. Endurance athletes often train at high altitude for precisely this reason. The lower air pressure and diminished atmospheric oxygen at altitude spur the body to generate extra red blood cells

Types of Blood Doping Transfusions Red blood cells from a compatible donor are harvested, concentrated and then transfused into the athlete’s circulation prior to competition The athlete harvests his or her own RBC’s well in advance of competition and then re-introduces them before competition

Blood Doping Side Effects: Infection and the potential toxicity of improperly stored blood AIDS Hepatitis Malaria A Transfusion Reaction Heart Failure Embolism (traveling blood clot) Stroke Sudden Death

Erythropoietin (EPO) A naturally occurring hormone, produced by the kidneys, which stimulates the body to produce more red blood cells It is used to treat anemia It can be given to people with cancer who have anemia, either because of the disease or their chemotherapy treatment

Erythropoietin (EPO) Side Effects: Injections of EPO are associated with elevations in both hematocrit (amount of red blood cells) and hemoglobin (oxygen carrying pigment in red blood cells) Blood becomes more viscous (heart cannot pump thick blood) Heart Attack, Stroke, Sudden Death High blood pressure Headaches Dehydration Fainting or feeling light-headed Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection Multiple punctures to locate veins

Dangerous Dietary Supplements Ephedrine (Ma Huang ): Structurally similar to the amphetamines Increases risks of heart attack, stroke, seizures, psychosis and death Increases heart rate and blood pressure Dizziness, headaches, tremors, nervousness, gastrointestinal distress, heart palpitations, irregular heart beat

Dangerous Dietary Supplements Androstenedione: A "prohormone" steroid that can be converted to testosterone and is marketed as a supplement that can increase muscle mass and strength. Associated with decreases in HDL cholesterol and increases in serum estrogen levels, which may have adverse health consequences during long-term supplementation The NCAA, IOC, and NFL all ban Androstenedione

Dangerous Dietary Supplements Yohimbine Extracted from yohimbe bark It supposedly increases serum testosterone levels Side effects include headaches, anxiety, psychological tension, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, heart palpitations, and hallucinations

Dangerous Dietary Supplements Kava: An herb included in supplements Allegedly promotes relaxation and relieves menopausal symptoms. Kava-containing products have been associated with hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure In the U.S., the FDA had received a report of a previously healthy young female who required a liver transplant, as well as several reports of liver-related injuries associated with the use of kava

Dangerous Dietary Supplements Hydroxycut Associated with jaundice and liver failure Ripped Fuel, Metabolife, Diet Fuel Contained Ephedrine Alli Linked to breast cancer, liver and bowel problems, and prevents the body from absorbing essential nutrients

Banned Ergogenic Aids Ergogenic aids are banned from athletic competition when it provides an unfair competitive advantage or is a significant health risk Each year the list of banned substances is subject to change

Banned Ergogenic Aids Diuretics Blood Doping Erythropoietin Testosterone Androstenedione Cocaine Codeine Morphine Heroin Blood Doping Erythropoietin Amphetamines Methadone Beta Blockers Human Growth Hormone

Save Your Money The most important factor for an for an active individual is to take in enough calories Sufficient calories from carbohydrates are needed to fuel the body so that protein is used to build and repair muscle tissue. Otherwise, with low calorie diets, protein is burned for energy instead

Save Your Money Carbohydrates provide fuel for the muscles, and also bring about a hormonal response that enhances muscle synthesis Studies have shown that when the ratio of protein to carbohydrate intake is 1:4 (15 percent of calories from protein and 60 percent of calories from carbohydrates), testosterone levels used in muscle building have been known to increase the most for all healthy people

Save Your Money Carbohydrates, eaten within one hour of resistance training (1 gram of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight), will also decrease the breakdown of muscle protein and help build muscle tissue In addition to what you eat, resistance training is the best way to increase lean body mass. There are no short cuts or quick fixes