Ethical and social-cultural issues

• Etiquette:

  A convention or unwritten rule in an activity. It is not an enforceable rule but is usually observed.
• Sportsmanship:

  Conforming to the rules, spirit, and etiquette of a sport.
• Gamesmanship:

  Attempting to gain an advantage by bending the rules to their limit (but not breaking them).
• Contract to compete:

  Unwritten agreement to follow and abide by written and unwritten rules.
• Stimulants:

  • Subsrances such as caffeine can increase alertnes and improve performance in games by reducing reaction time. Endurance athletes also like to use caffein as it helps to better transport fat in the blood and decrease the impact of pain. However caffein can cause diarrhoea and disrupt sleep patterns.
• Narcotic Analgesics:

  • Painkillers that are used to help an injured athlete continue to train and perform in big competitions despite their injury or allow an endurance athlete to tolerate a greater level of pain. Can be dangerous for an athlete as injury may worsen by continuing to perform.
• Anabolic agents:

  • Illegal drugs have been widely used to cheat in sport over the past 50 years because they help the athlete to make rapid increases in strength and recovery from high intensity movements such as sprints. Steroids are typically used as a trining drug. Are thought to cause sevre mood swings and may cause heart tisease. Also the threat of testicular atrophy.
• Peptide Hormones (EPO):

  • Naturally occuring hormone that causes body to make more red blood cells. Endurance athletes use these illegal supplements to boost cardiovascular fitness. Has been very difficult to detect in tests. Can increase blood pressure and reduce body's natural capacity to make EPO.
• Diuretics:

  • Cause the body to produce more urine. Some athletes use diuretics to mask other drugs such as anabolic steroids. However the method is illegal and can lead to sevre dehydration.
• Blood doping:

  This involves removing blood and then re-transfusing it a few weeks later after the lost red blood cells have been replaced. This method was infamously used by Lance Armstrong during the Tour de France. Cardiovascular fitness is enhanced in the short term as it leads to an increase in red blood cell count, but there is a serious risk of infections, illness and increased potential for heart attack or blockage of a blood vessel as a result.
• Beta blockers:

  these help a performer to keep calm, slow down the heart rate, reduce muscle tension, blood pressure and the effects of adrenaline. They also help to prevent the hands from shaking. This has the effect of helping performers in target sports such as archery as they improve fine control and precise movements. These drugs are illegal in sport.
• Why are drugs used:

  • Stimulants - alertness
  • Narcotic analgesics - painkillers from overtraining
  • Anabolic agents - muscle mass
  • Diuretics - loss of weight
  • Peptide hormones - oxygen carrying capacity
  • Blood doping - oxygen carrying capacity
  • Beta blockers - fine motor control
• Advantages and disadvantages of taking drugs:

  Advantages:

  • Increased chance of success
  • Fame
  • Wealth
  • Level playing field.

  Disadvantages:

  • Cheating/immoral
  • Associated health risk
  • Fines
  • Bans
  • Reputational damage.
• Spectator behaviour:

  Positive influences of spectators:

  • Creation of atmosphere
  • Home-field advantage

  Negative influences of spectators:

  • Negative effect on performer due to incresed pressure
  • Potential crowd trouble/hooliganism
  • Safety costs/concerns
  • Negative effect on participation number
• Reasons for hooliganism:

  • Rivalries
  • Hype
  • Fueled by alcohol/drugs
  • Gang culture
  • Frustration
  • Display of masculinity.
• Strategies to combat hooliganism:

  • Early kick offs
  • All seater stadia
  • Segregation of fans
  • Improved security
  • Alcohol restrictions
  • Travel restrictions
  • Education/promotional activity/campaigns.