Ethical factors in sport

• Stimulants – alertness

  Narcotic analgesics – mask the pain. pain killers from over training

  Anabolic agents – increase in the rate and amount of muscle mass

  Diuretics – lose weight by removing excess water

  Peptide hormones – oxygen carrying capacity

  Blood doping – oxygen carrying capacity

  Beta blockers – for fine motor control as they decrease the effects of adrenaline
• Advantages of PEDs include:

  • increased chances of success
  • fame
  • wealth
  • level playing field.
• Disadvantages of PEDs include:

  • cheating/immoral
  • associated health risks
  • fines
  • bans
  • reputational damage.
• Strategies to avoid hooliganism

  • early kick-offs
  • all-seater stadia
  • segregation of fans
  • improved security
  • alcohol restrictions
  • travel restrictions/banning orders
  • education/promotional activity/campaigns and high profile endorsements.
• Reasons for hooliganism:

  • rivalries
  • hype
  • fuelled by alcohol/drugs
  • gang culture
  • frustration (eg at official's decisions)
  • display of masculinity.
• Etiquette


  a convention or unwritten rule in an activity. It is not a enforceable rule but is usually observed

  Example: In Football when a player kicks the ball out of play when an injured player requires treatment.
• Sportsmanship: Conforming to the rules, spirit and etiquette of a sport.

  Example: helping a rival player up if they are down injured
• Gamesmanship: 


  Attempting to gain an advantage by stretching the rules to their limit.

  Example: Time-wasting in a sport with set time limits- A Goalkeeper in football holding onto the ball for as long as possible before kicking the ball giving his team time to reset. 
• Contract to compete: 


  An unwritten agreement between the opponents to follow and abide by the written and unwritten rules of the sport.

  example: Playing to the best of your ability/not taking performance enhancing drugs/ not arguing with officials.
• The positive influence of spectators at matches/events:

  • creation of atmosphere
  • home-field advantage (for home team/individuals).
• The negative influence of spectators at matches/events:

  • negative effect on performance as a result of increased pressure
  • potential for crowd trouble/hooliganism
  • safety costs/concerns
  • negative effect on participation numbers amongst younger performers.
• Blood doping


  • Removal of blood from an athlete several weeks before a competition and is frozen
  • The body makes more blood (red blood cells) to replace the amount taken out
  • Just before a competition the frozen blood is thawed and injected back into the athlete