Transcript Document
1.2.1b Substance and the
sportsperson
Learning objectives
To understand the effect of smoking and alcohol on
the performer
To understand why sportspeople take drugs.
To identify the main categories of drugs, who might
take them, their effects and side effects.
Steroid- Stanozol
THG
What do all these
have in common?
Performance enhancing drugs
The rewards that come with winning are so great that
athletes are increasingly temped to cheat with the use of
drugs.
Why do sportspeople take drug?
Case study: Probably the earliest the British public were made aware
of their own athletes taking drugs to enhance their performance was, in
the 1960's, when the death was announced of Tommy Simpson one of
Britain's greatest cyclists during the Tour de France.
Examples of drug use
• Six months ban for jockey over cocaine use
[28/01/05]
• US Open winner Kuznetsova in positive
drug test claim
• Police raid L'Equipe over Cofidis doping
scandal [14/01/05]
• Juventus players caught for taking
nandrolone
• Dwain Chambers tests positive for THG
• 1998 tour de France scandal
The I.O.C. attempt to keep sport clean. They produce a list
of banned substances. Prohibited drugs are classified in 6
categories.
Remember B.A.N.D.S.P.
Beta blockers:
e.g. Atenolol (Alcohol has a similar
effect)
The beta-blocker drugs 'sit' on receptors and stop
('block') the receptor from being stimulated.
Effect: slows heart rate, calms and steadies hands
Athletes: Shooting (target sports),
Snooker
Side effects: Reduces heart rate so low that heart
may stop, low blood pressure and causes tiredness
Anabolic steroids:
Artificially produced testosterone
(MALE HORMONE).
Effect: Repair body tissues after stress, promote
muscle growth, ability to train harder with less fatigue
Athletes: Athletics (power events) e.g.
.... 100m, Shot Putt
Side effects: Females develop male features. Liver
& heart damage.
Narcotic Analgesics:
‘PAIN KILLERS’ - (paracetamol, morphine, methadone,
heroin)
Effect: Reduces pain or an injury
Athletes: All events
Side effects: Nausea, highly addictive, serious
injury
Diuretics:
Remove fluid from the body.
Effect: Rapid weight loss
Athletes: Boxers, Jockeys
Side effects: Dehydration, Dizziness or light headed
Stimulants:
Stimulate the body physically and mentally. (Tea,
Coffee, Cocaine)
Effect: Reduces tiredness, increased alertness &
endurance
Athletes: Any event with a sprint
start, Boxing,
Side effects: Raise blood pressure, hide
symptoms of fatigue & addictive
Peptide Hormones:
Naturally occurring hormones can be synthesised in a
laboratory (EPO)
- EPO is a hormone which controls red blood cell
production.
Effect: Increase oxygen transport ( endurance)
Athletes: Cycling, marathon runners (endurance
athletes)
Side effects: blood clots + cardiovascular problems
Are these elite athletes or undetected drug cheats?
Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking and consuming alcohol is legal but becoming less
socially acceptable (smoking ban – 2007). Both have harmful
side effects and can effect performance capacities.
Nicotine is taken into the blood stream through smoking.
It is an addictive drug, which raises the heart rate and blood
pressure
There are other ways smoking can damage
health:
Lung cancer – tars are deposited in the lungs, making them
less efficient and can lead to cancer
Increased risk of heart disease
Carbon monoxide reduces the effectiveness of the
oxygen-carrying capacity of haemoglobin.
- therefore reduced levels of fitness
Throat cancer
Alcohol
Small quantities of alcohol are not harmful to general
health, but it does affect performance in sport. It slows
reactions and affects judgement.
Alcohol contains the chemical ethanol, which acts on the
brain.
Further effects:
Balance, co-ordination and reactions are affected
Diuretic – alcohol can increase water levels in urine and
cause dehydration
Loss of body heat – increased blood flow to the skin
causes loss of heat
Reduction of glycogen levels and slower lactic acid
removal
Judgement affected leading to accidents
Aggressive behaviour