Ethical Issues in Sport

• Etiquette


  The unwritten rules concerning player behaviour.
• Gamesmanship


  The use of dubious methods, that are not strictly illegal, to gain an advantage.
• Contract to compete


  Agreeing to play by the rules, trying to win but also allowing your opponent to play.
• Sportsmanship


  Appropriate, polite and fair behaviour while participating in a sporting event.
• Ergogenic aid


  A technique or substance used for the purpose of enhancing performance, from energy drinks to PEDs.
• National governing body


  Organisation with responsibility for managing their specific sport e.g. England Rugby, England Netball.Organisation with responsibility for managing their specific sport e.g. England Rugby, England Netball.
• International Olympic Committee


  Organisation with authority over the Olympic Games.
• Stimulants


  Substances that speed up parts of the brain and body.

  Adrenaline is a naturally occurring stimulant in the body, other unnatural sources are amphetamines and caffeine.

  Benefits: Reduce fatigue, increase alertness & aggression, reduce reaction time suppress appetite, deaden pain of injury.

  Side effects: Insomnia, high blood pressure & heart rate and body temp, strokes, addiction, heart & liver problems, increased risk of injury, death.

  Sports: Sprinters, speed swimmers and cyclists, boxing, rugby.
• Narcotic analgesics


  Very strong painkillers, highly addictive. Examples are heroin and morphine.

  Benefits: Reduce pain, mask injury.

  Side effects: Addictive can lead to withdrawal symptoms, constipation, low blood pressure, nausea, may worsen original injury.

  All sports: Anyone that needs to recover from excessive training or compete with an injury.
• Anabolic steroids


  Common examples include Nandrolone and Danazol.

  Benefits: Increase amount of muscle growth, increase strength, ability to train harder, repair body after stress, increase aggression.

  Side effects: Liver damage, heart disease, increased blood pressure, acne, excessive aggression, shrink testicles in men, body hair and deeper voice in women.

  Sports: Explosive events – sprinting, weight lifting, swimming.
• Peptide hormones (EPO)


  Naturally occuring substances that can improve muscle growth and increase production of red blood cells - in turn increasing oxygen delivery to muscles. One peptide hormone is EPO (Erythropoietin).

  Benefits: EPO increases number of red blood cells - increases body's capacity to carry oxygen to cells during exercise. The additional oxygen reduces fatigue in long distance events.

  Side effects: Thickening of blood, can lead to increased risk of blood clots and as a result strokes and heart attacks

  Sports: Long distance cyclists, swimmer, runners.
• Diuretics


  Drugs such as Frusemide that are taken to remove excess water from the body. They are not used to improve actual performance, but for other reasons.

  Benefits: Rapid weight loss, increased rate of passing urine. Masking agent - dilutes the presence of illegal substances - help flush them out the body.

  Side effects: Severe dehydration, low blood pressure, dizziness, muscle cramps.

  Sports: All sports - for those who want to hide other PED use eg sprinters who may have used anabolic steroids.

  Horse racing, boxing – sports that involve having to maintain/make a weight.
• Beta Blockers


  Reduce the effects of adrenaline on the body. Sports performers may only take beta blockers if they have been prescribed by a medical professional.

  Benefits: Reduce heart rate, muscle tension and blood pressure calming the athlete. This improves a performer’s fine motor skills and increases precision.

  Side effects: Nausea, poor circulation/low blood pressure leading to heart problems, tiredness and weakness.

  Sports:Any performer who needs to reduce nerves and improve fine motor skills e.g. Shooting, archery, snooker.
• What is the process that increases a person’s red blood cell count called?

  Blood doping
• What is the initial step in the blood doping process?


  Removal of about 2 pints of blood from the athlete
• What happens to the blood removed from the athlete during blood doping?


  It gets frozen to use later
• How does the body respond after blood is removed during blood doping?


  The body makes more red blood cells to replace the amount taken out
• When is the blood thawed and injected back into the athlete?

  1. 2 days before competition
• What is a primary benefit of increasing the number of red blood cells?


  It allows the body to carry more oxygen to the muscles
• What is one of the side effects of blood doping related to blood consistency?


  Increased blood viscosity (thickening of the blood)
• What are some health risks associated with blood doping?


  Risk of heart attacks, embolism, and blood borne diseases
• Which diseases can be transmitted through blood doping?

  HIV and hepatitis
• Which type of athletes most commonly use blood doping?


  Endurance athletes, such as marathon runners and cyclists
• What are the steps involved in the blood doping process?


  1. Removal of about 2 pints of blood from the athlete
  2. Freezing the blood for later use
  3. Body produces more red blood cells
  4. Thawing and injecting the blood back into the athlete 1-2 days before competition
• Advantages to the performer of taking PEDs


  They allow the athlete to play better, keep their careers going longer keeping them employed.

  Allow the athlete to keep up with the competition.

  Increased chances of success - to win! - which may lead to increased wealth/fame/recognition (non-physiological reasons).

  Level the playing field - Everyone else is taking them, so why not join them?
• Disadvantages to the performer of taking PEDs


  Health risks, addiction, may lead to death.

  It’s cheating/immoral - goes against the contract to compete.

  If caught athletes are likely to face a two-year ban from their sport.

  Risk getting fined.

  Damage to athletes reputation - long term negative publicity.
• What is one disadvantage of performers taking performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in sports?


  Sports can lose their reputation due to the number of positive tests.
• How can spectators' perceptions change due to PED use in sports?


  Spectators may become cynical and question if performances are due to drugs.
• What impact can regular positive drug tests have on the credibility of sports?


  It can lead to a loss of credibility for sports like cycling and athletics.
• What financial consequences might sports face due to PED use?


  They could lose spectators, leading to reduced income and potential sponsor withdrawal.
• How might participation levels in a sport be affected by PED use?


  Participation levels in the sport could fall.
• What does the use of PEDs undermine in sports?


  It undermines the true spirit of sport and reflects poorly on the sport.