1. CHAPTER 16 PERFORMING-ENHANCING DRUGS

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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.