A.3

Question 1

List five classes of non- nutritional ergogenic aids that are currently banned by the International Olympic

Answer 1

• Beta Blockers
• Anabolic steroids
• Diuretics and masking agents
• Stimulants
• Hormones and related substances such as EPO and human growth hormone

Question 2

Discuss why pharmacological substances appear on the list of banned substances.

Answer 2

A substance or method is included in the WADA prohibited list if it meets any of these criteria:

• It has potential to enhance or enhances sport performance
• It represents a potential or actual risk to the health of the athlete
• It violates the spirit of the sport

Question 3

Discuss the proposed and actual benefits that some athletes would hope to gain by using anabolic steroids, erythropoietin (EPO), beta blockers, caffeine and diuretics.

Answer 3

Anabolic steroids:

• Increased Muscle Mass and Strength
• Lower Body Fat
• Endurance Performance
• Ability to train more frequently and more intensely
• Weight Gain

Recombinant Erythropoietin (rEPO):

• Increased Oxygen Carrying Capacity of Blood
• Alterations in Cognitive Function
• Increased Exercise Capacity and Performance

Beta Blockers:
- Improved Precision and Accuracy and Reduced Symptoms of Anxiety

Diuretics and Masking agents:

• Weight Control
• Physical Appearance
• Hiding Illicit Substances

Caffeine:

• Improved endurance capacity
• Caffeine burns fat as fuel, sparing carb stores. (not much evidence for this)
• Caffeine enables muscles to contract with more force, due to a greater release of calcium
• Caffeine increases alertness

Question 4

Outline the possible harmful effects of long-term use of anabolic steroids, EPO, beta blockers, caffeine and diuretics.

Answer 4

Caffeine:

• Caffeine is an addictive substance
• High doses have been associated with heart arrhythmias and mild hallucinations
• Possible links with risks in pregnancy, cancer, calcium level issues and bone health

Diuretics and masking agents:
- Performance affecting symptoms-
Fatigue
Drowsiness
Muscle Cramps
Muscle Soreness

• Impaired thermoregulatory function-
  Diuretics reduce the volume of plasma in the blood.
• Electrolyte loss

Beta blockers:
-Brachycardia
Abnormally low heart rate

• Hypotension
  Low blood pressure
• Cardiac Failure
  In those with underlying heart conditions
• Hypoglycemia – low blood sugar
  In type 2 diabetics
• Heart Arrhythmias
  Abnormal heart rhythm
  Can be life threatening
• Dizziness or light headedness
  Due to low blood pressure

Anabolic steroids:

• Increased LDL cholesterol
• shrinkage of testicles
• Disruption to menstrual cycle
• Liver cancer
• Increases occurrence of acne
• Depression
• Mood changes

rEPO:

• Increased blood pressure
• Viscosity of blood could lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure or heart attack