Drugs and doping

• Ethics

  Rules that dictate an individual's conduct. They form a system of rules that groups and societies are judged on.
• Blood doping

  Defined by WADA as the misuse of techniques and / or substances to increase ones red blood cell count
• Deviance

  Unacceptable behaviour within a culture. Any behaviour that differs from perceived social or legal norms.
• Illegal consumption of PEDs and blood doping are examples of deviance
• Blood doping

  • A process that increases a persons Red blood cell count
  • More RBC means higher volumes of haemoglobin
  • This allows a higher level of performance
• Blood doping process

  1. Approximatley 2 pints of blood is removed from the body
  2. The blood is frozen , thawed and reinjected prior to competition
• Blood doping has been used by some endurance athletes like runners and cyclists.
• Performance enhancing drugs

  Substances taken that enhance an individuals performance
• Anabolic steroids

  allow athletes to train harder for longer and often increase strength and aggression.
• Beta blockers

  Control heart rate and keep athlete calm
• Stimulants

  increase alertness. eg caffeine , amphetamines
• Other prohibited substances are narcotic analgesics, peptide hormones , masking agents.
• Legal supplements can be used to maximise training and performancr
• Advantages of legal supplements

  • Dietary supplements are claimed to help to build muscle, increase stamina and control weight
  • Ergogenic aids increase strength, performance and recovery.
  • Staying hydrated through drinking water or energy drinks can improve and aid performance
• Disadvantages of legal supplements

  • Some supplements may not be what they seem and could contain banned substances or be contaminated
  • Health implications have been suggested for long term use of creatine eg- increased risk of cancer
  • Energy drink contain high levels of sugar which contributes to obesity and tooth decay
  • Taking supplements may not be seen as in the spirit of fair play
• Why elite performers use illegal drugs and doping ?

  • Pressure to succeed , can affect a performers judgement and decion making.
  • Pressure from coaches
  • Political pressure eg. russian doping scandal
  • High monetary rewards for winning and profitable sponsorship deals
  • Thinking everyone else is doing it.
• Societal consequences of drug taking in sport

  Society is seen as corrupt and full of unethical citizens who will do anything to ' win at all costs '
• Sporting consequences of drug taking in sport

  • The concept of fair play is severely challenged
  • Cheating
  • Sports become ' tainted ', struggling to gain sponsorship, eg -cycling - loss of public support.
• Performer consequences of drug taking in sport

  • Severe dangers to health and wellbeing
  • Possible death
• Strategies to stop the use of illegal drugs and doping

  • Increased drug testing can be performed in and out of competitions
  • Drug education can be provided for athletes and coaches
  • Punishments for drug use are to be more rigorous and longer. WADA doubled the length of the ban for doping offences in 2015