DRUGS IN SPORT
Drugs aren’t limited to those with addictions. Some athletes take illegal
substances to enhance their performance, an activity known as ‘doping’. There are
five types of doping classes (banned drugs), the most common being stimulants
and hormones. Although they’re performance-enhancing, they have numerous
health risks and are banned by sports’ governing bodies. So what’s the difference
between these and social drugs?
Doping
Most professional sportspeople are regularly drug tested.
Some sportspeople try to gain an advantage by using
performance-enhancing drugs. This is known as doping.
Many performance-enhancing drugs are banned by
sports' governing bodies. There are 5 'doping classes',
which are categories of banned drugs:
Doping class
Effect on performance
Dangerous side-effects
Stimulants
Make athletes more alert and mask fatigue
Can cause heart failure, addictive
Anabolic agents steroids
Help athletes to train harder and build muscle
Increased aggression and kidney damage
Diuretics
Remove fluid from the body. Used :
Causes severe dehydration
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to make the weight, eg in boxing
to hide other drug use
Narcotic analgesics
Mask pain caused by injury or fatigue which can make
the injury worse
Addictive
Peptides and
hormones
EPO (Erythropoietin) red blood cells - gives more energy
HGH (Human Growth Hormone) - build muscle
EPO - risk of stroke or heart problems.
HGH - abnormal growth, heart disease, diabetes,
arthritis etc
Blood doping is injecting blood that has been removed
from the body a few days earlier, enabling the blood to
carry more oxygen. It is banned as it's a form of
cheating. It can cause kidney and heart failure.
Beta blockers are banned in archery and shooting as
they keep the heart rate low and reduce tremble in the
hands.
Social drugs
Social drugs are usually taken to help people relax, or on occasion to give a feeling of
having more energy. Some are banned in many sports and are also illegal. The main social
drugs are:
Drug
Sources and effects
Nicotine
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Alcohol 
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Cannabis
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Caffeine
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addictive and found in cigarettes, cigars and tobacco
reduces lung capacity – bad for stamina events
risk of heart disease and lung cancer
reduces concentration and coordination
risk of liver damage (cirrhosis)
reduces concentration and coordination
reduces lung capacity – bad for stamina events
risk of heart disease and lung cancer
illegal
found in coffee, chocolate and 'energy' drinks
a mild stimulant causing tiredness unless taken repeatedly
Stimulants
 eg amphetamines
 a banned doping class and illegal
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1. Narcotic analgesics may:
mask pain
build muscle
give more energy
2. Injecting blood that has previously been removed from the body is known as:
blood swapping
blood doping
blood injection
3. Keeping heart rate low is a benefit of:
stimulants
diuretics
beta blockers
4. Anabolic steroids can cause increased:
aggression
blood flow
pain
5. Diuretics can cause:
heart failure
abnormal growth
dehydration
6. Excessive alcohol consumption may cause:
heart damage
liver damage
lung damage
7. Cannabis can reduce:
concentration
oxygen supply
appetite
8. Dangers caused by cigarettes and canabis include:
heart disease
sleepiness
muscle wastage
9. Amphetamines are examples of:
diuretics
analgesics
stimulants
10. One banned social drug is:
nicotine
cannabis
caffeine