Ergogenic aids and pharmacological aids

• Ergogenic aid


  A substance, object or method used to improve or enhance performance
• Pharmacological aids


  A group of ergogenic aids taken to increase the levels of hormones or neural transmitters naturally produced by the body, including anabolic steroids, erythropoietin and human growth hormone
• Anabolic steroids


  A group of illegal synthetic hormones resembling testosterone to promote protein synthesis for muscle growth, recovery and repair
• Anabolic steroids


  • Easily accessible and available in tablet, capsule, solution (for injection) and cream form
  • Prohibited in and out of competition and relatively easily detected with a urine sample
• Athletes who have suffered penalties for anabolic steroid use

  • Sprinters Dwain Chambers and Marion Jones
  • Baseball players Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds
• Anabolic steroid use


  • Associated with maximal and explosive strength-based performers, such as sprinters, throwers, and baseball and rugby players
  • Can cause irritability, aggressiveness, paranoia, acne, liver damage, heart failure and hormonal disturbances
  • Male performers can see testes shrink, sperm count decrease, hair loss and breast tissue development
  • Female performers can see facial hair growth and a deepening of the voice
• WADA status of anabolic steroids: Illegal
• Potential benefits and risks associated with anabolic steroid use

  • Benefits: Increased muscle mass and strength, Increased speed of recovery, Increased intensity and duration of training
  • Risks: Irritability, aggression and mood swings, Liver damage and potential heart failure, Acne and hormonal disturbances
• Erythropoietin (EPO)


  A naturally produced hormone responsible for the production of red blood cells. A synthetic copy 'recombinant' or RhEPO can be supplemented to increase red blood cell production typically used in patients with severe anaemia or kidney failure
• Recombinant erythropoietin (RhEPO)


  Illegal synthetic product copying natural erythropoietin hormone responsible for red blood cell production
• Hyper-viscosity


  Excessively thickened blood with high resistance to flow
• WADA status of EPO: Illegal
• Potential benefits and risks associated with erythropoietin use

  • Benefits: Increased red blood cell and haemoglobin count, Increased oxygen transport and aerobic capacity, Increased intensity and duration of performance before fatigue
  • Risks: Increased blood viscosity, Decreased cardiac output, Increased risk of blood clots and heart failure, Decreased natural production of EPO
• Human growth hormone (HGH)


  Illegal synthetic product copying natural growth hormone to increase protein synthesis for muscle growth, recovery and repair
• Potential benefits and risks associated with human growth hormone

  • Benefits: Increased muscle mass and strength, Increased fat metabolism and decreased fat mass, Increased blood glucose levels, Increased speed of recovery, Increased intensity and duration of training
  • Risks: Abnormal bone and muscle development, Enlargement of the vital organs, potentially leading to multi-organ failure, Increased risk of certain cancers and diabetes
• WADA status of HGH: Illegal