Types of Performance-Enhancing Drugs and Their Effects
This page provides a detailed overview of various performance-enhancing substances, their benefits, side effects, and the sports where they are commonly used.
Steroids e.g.,testosterone,nandrolone:
- Benefits: Muscle/bone growth, faster recovery, increased strength and power
- Side effects: Aggression, liver damage, stroke, infertility
- Sports: Weightlifting, boxing, rugby
Beta Blockers e.g.,Sotalol:
- Benefits: Lowers heart rate, reduces anxiety
- Side effects: Low blood pressure, depression
- Sports: Golf, diving
Stimulants e.g.,amphetamines,cocaine,caffeine:
- Benefits: Increased alertness, masks fatigue, improves reaction time
- Side effects: Nausea, insomnia, heart failure, addiction
- Sports: Tennis, sprinting
Highlight: Understanding the disadvantages of doping in sports is crucial for athletes and sports administrators alike.
The page also mentions legal alternatives to these substances, such as protein shakes, proper diet, and relaxation techniques.
Example: A sprinter might use caffeine inpermittedamounts to enhance alertness before a race, as an alternative to more dangerous stimulants.
This comprehensive overview of drug types and their effects is essential for students preparing for OCR GCSE PE socio-cultural past papers and understanding the complexities of doping in modern sports.