Athletes performance enhancement

Synthetic steroids, especially estrogenic drugs, are used extensively in estrogen-replacement therapy and oral contraceptives, in veterinary medicine for growth enhancement, and in athletic performance enhancement. In general, large portions... 

Ginseng is promoted as a tonic capable of invigorating the user physically, mentally, and sexually. It is also said to possess antistress activity, or to serve as an adaptogen, improve glycemic control and stimulate immune function. Claims that ginseng can improve athletic performance, enhance longevity, or treat toxic hepatitis are not supported by human trials. 

Shekelle, P., Hardy, M., Morton, S., Maglione, M., Suttorp, M., Roth, E., Jungvig, L., Mojica, W., Gagne, J., Rhodes, S., and McKinnon, E. 2003b. Ephedra and ephedrine for weight loss and athletic performance enhancement Clinical efficacy and side effects. Evidence Rep. Technol. Assessment (Summary) 76, 111-114. 

Creatine Creatine monohydrate creatine monophosphate Athletic performance enhancement Gastrointestinal irritation. 

Guarana Caffeine Athletic performance enhancement appetite suppressant Tachycardia, tremor vomiting (See Caffeine, p 142). 

In gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), the effluent from a gas chromatograph is passed into a mass spectrometer and a mass spectrum is taken every few milliseconds. Thus gas chromatography is used to separate a mixture, and mass spectrometry used to analyze it. GC/MS is a very powerful analytical technique. One of its more visible applications involves the testing of athletes for steroids, stimulants, and other performance-enhancing drugs. These drugs are converted in the body to derivatives called metabolites, which are then excreted in the... 

Anabolic Steroids Have Been Used Illegally To Enhance Athletic Performance... 

Anabolic steroids increase muscle mass and strength. They are used by some athletes to enhance performance. 

The anabolic steroids are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the dni, liver disorders, or serious cardiac disease, and in men with prostate gland disorders (eg, prostate carcinoma and prostate enlargement). The anabolic steroids are classified as Pregnancy Category X dru and should not be administered during pregnancy and lactation. Anabolic steroids are contraindicated when used to enhance physical appearance or athletic performance... 

True. Performance-enhancing drugs are used in many sports by athletes who wish to beat their opponents unfairly. Many of these drugs carry serious health risks for the user, and can lead to disqualification and loss of reputation. 

Graham et al.79 noted that more than a quarter of Canadian youth surveyed reported use of caffeine during the last year to improve their athletic performance. The current allowable levels of caffeine permitted by the IOC are well above the minimum dose needed to elicit an ergogenic effect. If the IOC and other regulatory bodies are serious about controlling the use of performance enhancing drugs, then it may be necessary to ban caffeine entirely from competition. 

Products containing ephedra were used extensively by the American public for weight loss and to enhance athletic performance. Ephedra, a stimulant similar to amphetamine, increases blood pressure and heart rate after only one dose, significantly increasing a person s risk of heart attack, stroke, and death. Because ephedra is a dietary supplement, the FDA did not review its safety or efficacy before it became available to the American public. According to law, the FDA could only prohibit the sale of the dietary supplement if it was proven to present a significant or unreasonable risk of injury. 

EPO is considered a banned performance-enhancing drug in the sports arena, where athletes use EPO to boost their red blood cells with the expectation of boosting performance (see Exhibit 4.11 for a brief review of performance-enhancing drugs and Section 11.10 on banned drugs in sports). 

EPO is used in blood doping to generate more red blood cells for carrying oxygen. It is particularly favored by endurance athletes to enhance their performance. Human growth hormone (hGH, see description in Section 4.5.2) is used to build up muscle and bone strength. Both EPO and hGH are banned in sports. 

Sources (1) Zorpette G. All doped up—and going for go d. Scientific American May 20-22 (2000). (2) Freudenrich C. How Performance-Enhancing Drugs Work. http //entertainment. howstuffworks.com/athletic-drug-testl.htm [accessed September 24,2002]. 

In this competitive world, especially in the sports field, athletes try their best to outperform each other. Unfortunately, some athletes resort to the use of performance-enhancing drugs to attain a competitive edge. Table 11.2 is a list of banned performance-enhancing drugs published by the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This list is effective from January 1,2007. 

When amphetamine-like substances are misused to enhance athletic performance (doping), there is a risk of dangerous physical overexertion. Because of the absence of a sense of fatigue, a drugged athlete may be able to mobilize ultimate energy reserves. In extreme situations, cardiovascular failure may result (B). 

Athletic performance Although the anabolic steroids are generally the agents that are abused for enhancement of athletic performance, these agents have also been used for such purposes. However, these drugs are not safe and effective for this use and have a potential risk of serious side effects. 

Studies have shown that Clenbuterol reduces fat, which would help rid lipid tissue of THC metabolities. Clenbuterol also increases metabolism. No studies have directly shown that Clenbuterol will help pass a drug test. However, provided that it reduces fat, 1 would assume that the fat breakdown would result in less fat soluble substances in the system. Caution Clenbuteral is labeled as a performance enhancer, and it s on the banned list for athlete testing. If are being tested as an athlete, avoid Clenbuterol ... 

Bernard Williams of the Philadelphia Eagles failed the drug test for marijuana. He was suspended from the NFL for six games for using a drug that does not enhance performance. If anything, marijuana would detract from an athletes performance. Let the coach judge Williams performance. 

Figure 1.1 Pharmacologist Dr. Donald H. Gatlin sits in front of an LC/MS/MS system, an instrument used for detecting drugs from urine samples, at the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory. Gatlin is noted for developing a breakthrough testthat detects the illegal steroid, tetrahydrogestrinone (THG), taken by athletes to enhance performance.

Olympic athletes are tested to see that they are not using illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Suppose that urine samples are taken and analyzed and the rate of false positive results is 1%. Sup-... 

Any polled athlete chose to use GH as a performance enhancing drug should have first understand at least the basics of its actions. 

Despite these issues, creatine remains well-known as a nutritional, performance-enhancing supplement used by athletes to improve high-intensity muscle endurance and performance. Bodybuilders and weightlifters supplement with creatine to bulk up muscles, and athletes involved in team sports train with creatine to increase their energy for sprints and other short and intense muscular tasks. Statistics show that the use of creatine by adolescent and adult athletes is growing. Yet research is still largely inconclusive on exactly how... 

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