1. 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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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”

14. 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

15. 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