Doping
describes the act of using a banned substance to drastically alter the
physiology of the human body - often used to improve performance. Justifying the use of a
banned substance for financial reasons, to break a record or to level the
playing field not only threatens the integrity of sports but athletes risk
health problems or death.
Unfortunately,
in every sport, there’s great temptation to use performance enhancing drugs
(PEDs). Anabolic-androgenic steroids are used to improve physical appearance by
building muscle. Clenbuterol and ostarine are widely popular to burn fat and
build lean muscle mass. Human growth hormone and testosterone, commonly
prescribed to older adults to combat the age-related decline of these hormones,
can improve muscle protein synthesis. All of these drugs are banned by WADA
(World Anti Doping Agency).
Most sports require an athlete to comply with the World Anti-Doping Code, which is "designed to set forth a standard set of parameters within which athletes can participate in triathlons and compete in a positive atmosphere of equal opportunity." These Rules are intended:
a. to promote and maintain sportsmanship, equal opportunity and fair play;
b. to encourage and reward individual performance and initiative;
c. to protect the health, safety, and well-being of participants;
d. to promote the integrity of sport and triathlon as a positive cultural force in modern day society; and
e. to foster the foregoing ideals through the establishment and enforcement of punitive rules.
With this being said, why do athletes take performance enhancing drugs? The primary reasons include;
Most sports require an athlete to comply with the World Anti-Doping Code, which is "designed to set forth a standard set of parameters within which athletes can participate in triathlons and compete in a positive atmosphere of equal opportunity." These Rules are intended:
a. to promote and maintain sportsmanship, equal opportunity and fair play;
b. to encourage and reward individual performance and initiative;
c. to protect the health, safety, and well-being of participants;
d. to promote the integrity of sport and triathlon as a positive cultural force in modern day society; and
e. to foster the foregoing ideals through the establishment and enforcement of punitive rules.
With this being said, why do athletes take performance enhancing drugs? The primary reasons include;
- Therapeutic use for a health ailment.
- Social and recreational use.
- Performance enhancement.
- Insulin
- Diuretics
- Beta-blockers
- Beta-2-agonists
- Glucocorticosteroids
- Decongestant stimulants
- Narcotics
- The athlete would experience a significant impairment to health if the prohibited substance or prohibited method were to be withheld in the course of treating an acute or chronic medical condition.
- The therapeutic use of the prohibited substance or prohibited method would produce no additional enhancement of performance other than that which might be anticipated by a return to a state of normal health following the treatment of a legitimate medical condition.
- There is no reasonable therapeutic alternative to the use of the otherwise prohibited substance or prohibited method.
- The necessity for the use of the otherwise prohibited substance or prohibited method cannot be a consequence, wholly or in part, of the prior use, without a TUE, of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of use.
Social and recreational use
Did you know that up until 2004, caffeine was on the banned substance list! Whether for social purposes or for other reasons, athletes may follow their peers (or trends) and use social or recreational drugs. Although not every athlete using a recreational drug does so with the intent to enhance performance, some drugs have performance-enhancing properties. Additionally, being under the influence of these substances can pose a threat or danger to other competitors or yourself. Drugs in this list include (but are not limited to):
Did you know that up until 2004, caffeine was on the banned substance list! Whether for social purposes or for other reasons, athletes may follow their peers (or trends) and use social or recreational drugs. Although not every athlete using a recreational drug does so with the intent to enhance performance, some drugs have performance-enhancing properties. Additionally, being under the influence of these substances can pose a threat or danger to other competitors or yourself. Drugs in this list include (but are not limited to):
- Alcohol
- Cocaine
- Cannabinoids
- Stimulants
To level the playing field, to be the best, to achieve excellence in sport, to please sponsors, to change body composition, to change physiology, depression, low self-esteem, to earn money, for recognition, to qualify for an event or to set a personal best, there are many factors which influence why an athlete will resort to using performance-enhancing drugs. However, no reason is a good enough reason to use a banned substance. Substances on the WADA list used to enhance performance is cheating. It threatens the integrity of sport and may compromise health. These shortcuts to success are not worth it.
Although athletes are well aware that anabolic androgenic steroids or EPO (erythropoietin ) are banned substances, athletes should be aware and concerned with dietary supplements. Supplements are not well-regulated and many supplements contain undeclared substances that are prohibited under anti-doping regulations. For example, there is a high-risk list of supplements that could contain banned substances. Be mindful that any supplement used to improve performance, improve recovery, change body composition, prevent or treat nutritional deficiencies or to enhance energy, may contain banned substances.
For example, on the Supplement 411 list:
Brand Name: MetaSalt
Manufacturer: CarboPro
Could Contain: Anabolic agents
Notes: Testing of an open container of an illegible lot number revealed the presence of ostarine. A sealed container of the same lot or formulation was not available for testing. For more information about SARMs see the USADA webpage on SARMS.
What the label says: The Supplement Facts panel lists "a variety of vitamins, minerals and extracts."
As an athlete, it's your responsibility to stay updated with the current rules, guidelines and prohibited substances set forth by WADA. Whether you take a supplement to improve your performance or take a medication to improve your health, it's your job to become aware of what you are putting into your body and to comply with all rules set forth by the World Anti-Doping Code.