Download Performance-Enhancing Substances and Techniques

Performance-Enhancing Substances
and Techniques
Why Cheat?
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Victory
Economic rewards (prize money,
endorsements)
Social rewards (fame)
3 types of performance-enhancing substances
and techniques:
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Nutritional aids
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Pharmacological aids
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Physiological aids
Nutritional Aids

Examples: vitamins, minerals, protein and
amino-acid supplements, creatine, caffeine, and
various extracts from plant sources
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Readily available
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Natural
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Some may contain hidden amounts of steroids
– athlete needs to use caution
Pharmacological Aids
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Can be used to:
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Mask pain
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Increase muscle mass --> increase speed and
strength
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Help the recovery process
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Increase oxygen-processing capacity
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Maintain weight (boxing, wrestling)
Doping
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The World Anti-Doping Agency defines doping
as: “the use of an artifice, whether substance or
method, potentially dangerous to athletes'
health and/or capable of enhancing their
performances”.
Most popular pharmacological aids include:
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Pain-masking drugs
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Anabolic steroids
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Prohormones
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Human growth hormone
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Erythropoietin
Physiological Aids
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Includes blood doping and drug masking
Banned by the IOC (International Olympic
Committee) and other sport-governing bodies
Blood Doping
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Intravenous administration of blood, red blood
cells, and related blood products to raise the
blood's oxygen carrying-capacity
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Thus enhancing aerobic athletic performance
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Can use your own blood or someone else's
Drug Testing
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Used to ensure an even playing field for all
athletes
A drug testing program involves random, yearround and unannounced testing
Use urine to detect the presence of any banned
substances
Each sport-governing body has pre-set limits for
each substance i.e. NHL, Triathlon Canada,
PGA, etc.
Ethical Issues
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If some athletes are using performance
enhancing substances and not getting caught,
'clean' athletes may feel that they need to use
banned substances as well in order to keep up
Using illegal substances can distract an athlete
from proper and proven training techniques
A large part of this ethical decision is knowing
the consequences

Health risks: heart attack, stroke, death
The World Anti-Doping
Agency
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Based in Montreal
Promotes and coordinates the fight against
doping internationally
Responsible for drug testing at the Olympics
Read page 166 to get a better understanding of
the drug testing process
Drug Policies in Pro Sports

NHL
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Has banned the use of all illegal substances
(including steroids)
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Based on an agreement with the Player's
Association does not drug test
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The possession of steroids and other performanceenhancing drugs, as well as “recreational”
substances can be grounds for league-enforced
suspension and fines, the league cannot actually
test any of the players to prove that the substance
is in their system
NFL
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“The National Football League prohibits the use
by NFL players of anabolic/androgenic steroids
(including exogenous testosterone), human or
animal growth hormones...as well as masking
agents or diuretics used to hide their presence”
NFL players can potentially be tested anytime
during the year
Can be tested if there is “reasonable cause” to
suspect they are using banned substances
CFL
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CFL does not test its players for drug use due
to financial reasons
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The cost of a single test is $2,500
News that a CFL player had been charged for a
steroid-production lab in Milton forced officials
to reconsider their drug policy
League cannot implement any testing without
consent from the Players Association
NBA
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These players have received the most publicity for drug
infractions – usually testing positive for recreational drugs
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ALL NBA players are tested at least once during the 4 week
pre-season
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However, based on the negotiations with the NBA Players
Association, the league cannot test for the presence of
marijuana but can suspend a player for being found in
possession of it
Rookies are tested without prior knowledge 3 more times
If a veteran tests positive during the pre-season he is tested
again during the season BUT ONLY IF OFFICIALS HAVE
“REASONABLE CAUSE” TO SUSPECT HE IS
USING.....Suspensions occur if a players tests positive
MLB
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September 2002 – players would be tested on
the basis of “just cause” until 5% of all the MLB
players who are tested have recorded postive
tests
2006 – mandatory testing of all players