ethics and other issues

• Performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs)


  Chemical substances that change the chemical balance of the body when taken, affecting the performers ability and providing an unfair advantage when performing
• Doping


  The use of illegal substances (PEDs) by athletes or sports performers in order to improve their performances
• Ethical


  To do with morals or principles; ethical behaviour involves high moral standards, being honest and following the correct code of conduct
• Reasons for use of performance enhancing drugs


  • To recover quickly or mask the pain
  • To calm themselves before an event
  • To build muscle faster than in training
  • To improve their performance
• Beta blockers


  Prevent adrenalin in order to keep heart rate low; calming and relaxing effect; reduce anxiety
• Risks of beta blockers


  • Reduce blood pressure
  • Cause tiredness
  • Heart failure
  • Depression
• Anabolic steroids

  Increase muscle mass fast, let athletes train harder for longer, increase power and strength and speeds up recovery time
• Risks of anabolic steroids

  • Aggressive behaviour
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Liver problems
• Diuretics


  Increase the amount of water passed out of the body, a way of reducing weight quickly and mask other PEDs being used
• Risks of diuretics


  • Dehydration
  • Weakening of the muscles
  • Kidney problems
  • Nausea
• Stimulants


  Affect the central nervous system, reduce pain and increase alertness: mental and physical
• Risks of stimulants


  • Addictive
  • High blood pressure
  • Strokes
  • Increased risk of injury, as pain is suppressed
• Blood doping


  1. Blood is taken 3-4 weeks before competition, usually at a point where haemoglobin levels are high

  2. The blood is frozen to maintain the high haemoglobin levels that will produce more red blood cells

  3. One or 2 days before competition, the blood is thawed and then reintroduced to the performer via a blood transfusion

  4. This will increase the number of red blood cells in the body and the capacity to carry more oxygen

  5. The performers aerobic capacity is increased and they can perform for longer without fatigue
• Negative effects of blood doping


  • Blood becomes more viscous (thicker)
  • Increased chance of heart attack, strokes, pulmonary embolism (clot on the lung)
  • Risk of infection (when sharing blood)
  • Kidney disease
• Real risk


  The amount of danger that actually exist in the activity
• Perceived risk


  An individual's subjective or personal judgement about the dangers of an activity
• Risk assessment


  A process used to evaluate the real risks involved in an activity
• Causes of risks


  • Weather
  • Limited level of skills
  • Behaviour of others and yourself
  • Limited fitness
  • Lack of preparation
• Steps to reduce risks


  • Wearing protective clothing and footwear to prevent injuries
  • Lifting and carrying equipment safely and correctly
  • Maintaining a hydrated body during an activity
• Minor injuries


  Injuries that can be dealt with at the scene of their incident by a first aider, such as cuts, bruises or gazes
• Blister


  A small pocket of fluid that forms in the upper layer of skin after it has been damaged
• Treatment for blisters


  1. Unbroken blisters: don't pierce the bubble. Cover with a plaster or a gauze pad or dressing

  2. Burst blisters: don't peel off the dead skin on top of the blister. Allow the fluid inside to drain and wash it with mild soap and water. Cover the area with a dry, sterile dressing, to protect it from infection until it heals
• Bruises


  Bluish or purple coloured patches that appear on the skin when capillaries break or burst underneath. Blood leaks into the soft tissue under the skin, causing the discolouration
• Treatment for bruises


  Cold compressions; such as a flannel or a cloth soaked in cold water or an ice pack; it will help reduce the swelling and internal bleeding
• Cuts and grazes


  Cuts - where the skin is broken, Grazes - where skin is rubbed off
• Treatment for cuts and grazes


  Stop any bleeding by applying pressure and cover it with a dressing
• Winding


  Difficulty breathing
• Treatment for winding


  Loosen clothing. Sit in a crouched position
• Muscular endurance


  Muscle is overstretched or torn. Caused when muscles are overstretched
• Treatment for muscular endurance injury


  Use of RICE method and limited training
• Tendon injury


  Can be overstretched or torn
• Treatment for tendon injury

  Use of RICE method
• Ligament injury


  Also known as a sprain. Caused by ligaments being twisted or pulled past their range of movement
• Treatment for ligament injury

  Use the RICE method
• Dislocation


  Caused by a sudden force that moves the joint out of position
• Treatment for dislocation


  Use the RICE method
• RICE method


  • Rest: stop the activity. Rest and protect the injured or sore area
  • Ice: apply an ice pack straight away to reduce pain or swelling
  • Compression: wrap the area in an elastic bandage
  • Elevation: keep the injured body part raised above the level of the heart whenever possible