DOPING IN

SPORTS

GIOVAUNNI SEWELL 11:1

STIMULANTS
Stimulants are drugs that directly affect the central nervous system. They work to speed up parts
of the brain and body, increasing the heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism and body
temperature of the user. They are used by athletes to reduce tiredness and fatigue, and to increase
alertness, competitiveness and aggressiveness. 

The most common stimulants detected in anti-doping tests include amphetamines, cocaine,
ecstasy and methylphenidate (Ritalin). The actual effects vary according to the drug and to its
method of ingestion—drugs that are snorted or injected will produce more immediate results
than those that are taken in pill form.

Example of the stimulant Cocaine

ANABOLIC STEROIDS
 Anabolic steroids are drugs derived from testosterone, a hormone
which is produced in the testes of males and, to a much lesser
extent, in the ovaries of females. Testosterone is partially
responsible for the developmental changes that occur during puberty and
adolescence and is also involved in controlling the build-up and
breakdown of the main biochemical components of all tissues, including
muscle. There are two types of anabolic androgenic GLOSSARY
steroids:

Exogenous steroids are synthetically created versions of the testosterone

hormone. These substances cannot be naturally produced by the body.

Endogenous steroids are naturally occurring substances in the human

body that are involved with the metabolic pathways of testosterone.

Because testosterone affects muscle growth, raising its levels in the

blood can help athletes increase muscle size and strength. Anabolic
steroids can be taken in tablet form or injected directly in to the muscle

Anabolic Steroids

HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE

Human growth hormone (HGH; also called somatotrophin or somatotrophic hormone) is a
naturally-occurring hormone produced in the human body. It promotes physical development—
particularly the growth of bone—during adolescence. It stimulates the synthesis of collagen,
which is necessary for strengthening cartilage, bones, tendons and ligaments, and also stimulates
the liver to produce growth factors.

In adults, HGH increases the number of red blood cells, boosts heart function and makes more
energy available by stimulating the breakdown of fat. Other effects attributed to HGH include
increase in muscle mass and strength as well as tissue-repairing (recovery). However as HGH is
often used in conjunction with other PEDs its direct role in these benefits is unproven. Still, it is
quite easy to see why athletes believe it will enhance their performance.

Because HGH is a protein hormone, it is possible to manufacture large amounts of HGH using
recombinant DNA technology. Like anabolic steroids, HGH has a legitimate role in medicine—
specifically for people with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) or muscle weakness due to
HIV—but it is also misused by athletes

HGH

ERYTHROPOIETIN

Erythropoietin—more commonly known as EPO—has

long been the drug of choice for endurance athletes.
Although used in a wide variety of sports, it is most
commonly associated with cycling—particularly with
the disgraced former champion of the Tour de France—
Lance Armstrong.

Produced naturally by the kidneys, EPO is also

available as a pharmaceutical. EPO stimulates the
production of red blood cells in bone marrow and
regulates the concentration of red blood cells and haemoglobin in the blood. This is useful for
athletes, since red blood cells shuttle oxygen to the cells, including muscle cells, enabling them
to operate more effectively. EPO is a peptide GLOSSARYpeptide hormone and can be produced
synthetically using recombinant DNA technology. By injecting EPO, athletes aim to increase
their concentration of red blood cells and, consequently, their aerobic capacity. EPO can also
work to increase the body’s ability to buffer lactic acid