1. Drugs in Sport

2. Time to Think! If you were a top class sports person and you wanted to improve performance, What aspects of your body function would you need to improve. (1 Minute) There are 5 main areas that use of drugs could affect and which might improve performance. Muscle builders- such as anabolic steroids Stimulants – these make you feel more alert and energetic e.g. caffeine, cocaine Tranquilisers/painkillers- help you to control your nerves or pain Diuretics – aid weight control e.g. racing Blood builders which increase the red blood cells. Try to guess what these areas are ………..

3. For you to do. Write your answers in your book: 1.Why might an athlete use a drug which increased the number of red blood cells in his/her blood? 2.Sportsmen and women may not be allowed to use strong pain killers. How do you think they might give an unfair advantage? ( Think about possible effects on the rest of the body, not just the site of an injury). 3.Some drugs and food supplements build up your muscle mass. a)Why do you think some may be banned? b)What might be another adverse effect of using steroids to increase strength?

4. Case Studies In 2002 the British skier who had just won a Bronze Medal, Alan Baxter, tested positive for Methamphetamine, a banned stimulant. He Claimed that it must have come from a nasal spray he had bought in USA to relieve his congested nose. What do you think happened? He was stripped of his medal and banned from his sport for 2 years. Do you think this was fair? Why?

5. Some drugs are called ‘ recreational’ drugs. 1)What do you think this means? 2)What impression of drug use does it promote? 3)Do you think this impression is appropriate? Explain your view. 4)Which drugs do you think would be described as ‘Recreational’ and why? 5)Some people would argue that legal drugs can be more of a menace in society than illegal drugs. Why do you think they might think this? What is your view? For you to do in your book Now use Page 51 of the text book and answer Questions 1. 2a) and 3.