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Drug Use in Sport
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| Doping, the use of drugs to enhance sporting performance,
has occurred throughout history and has been responsible not
only for some improved sporting performances, but also unhealthy
side effects and even the deaths of athletes. Due to health
and ethical reasons, in 1967 the International Olympic Committee
agreed to ban and/or restrict certain substances and methods
which could be used in the attempt to enhance performance. Although
a minority group of athletes continue to experiment outside
the rules of competition, these athletes risk being banned from
their sport if discovered through drug testing, not to mention
suffering the sometimes unknown short and long term side effects
these drugs may cause. |
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According to a definition from World Book
Dictionary, a drug is a substance (other than food) that, when taken into the body,
produces a change in it. If this change helps the body, the drug is referred to as a
medicine. If the change harms the body, the drug is referred to as a poison.
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Drugs have been used throughout society for a variety of reasons:
- as medicines obtained through a prescription from the
doctor or bought over-the-counter at a chemist or supermarket
to treat an illness or assist in recovering from an injury
- used socially which could involve legal drugs like caffeine,
tobacco or alcohol or illegal drugs like marijuana or heroin
- used to enhance performance in sport (doping) and involves
the use of banned drugs like anabolic steroids.
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A simple definition for doping is ‘the use by
athletes of banned substances or methods that may enhance performance’.
It should be emphasised there is a difference between the
deliberate performance enhancement of a healthy body, which
is considered doping, and that of treating an athlete with
an illness or injury to bring them back to ‘normal’,
which is not.
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Substances and doping methods are
banned or restricted for a number of reasons:
- health - many substances, especially if they are not used
properly, can have serious effects on health
- ethical - banned substances and methods, in certain circumstances,
offer a performance advantage above natural levels
- legal - some drugs are banned because they are illegal
in the general community.
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There are a number of factors that may contribute
to an athlete misusing drugs. These factors can be related to the drug itself, the person
and/or their environment.
Examples of this include:
DRUG: effects of the
drug, physical dependence, easily available.
PERSON:
dissatisfaction with performance or progress, easily influenced by others, self ego.
ENVIRONMENT: pressure
to win from coach, parents, media, public, financial reward, unrealistic qualifying
standards or performance expectations.
It is usually a combination of these factors which
lead to an athlete deciding to use drugs or doping methods.
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Most national sporting organisations have doping policies which
prohibit or restrict athletes from using certain substances
and doping methods. In most cases these are based on the International
Olympic Committee’s doping list however some sports differ
slightly. Under these policies, athletes can be tested both
in and out of competition for these doping practices.
These policies also discuss the related issues of inadvertent
(accidental) doping, therapeutic use of banned medications
for legitimate purposes, confidentiality, sanctions, tribunals
and appeal mechanisms, obligations of the sport and the athlete
and education.
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ASDA is a statutory authority which is funded by the Commonwealth
Government. The agency tests athletes for banned drugs, both
within Australia and in other countries. The agency is also
closely involved with sports in the areas of education, development
of resources, policy development, research and international
activities.
To find out more about drugs in sport, ASDA or the
ASDA Act which governs how they operate, check out their site using the web
links.
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- Stimulants
- Anabolic agents
- Androgenic anabolic steroids
- Non-steroidal
- Diuretics
- Peptide and glycoprotein hormones and
analogues
- Narcotic analgesics
- Blood doping
- Pharmacological, chemical or physical manipulations.
Stimulants:
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Stimulants are usually only tested for in competition.
Some sports do however test for stimulants out-of-competition.
This class includes substances such as amphetamines,
caffeine (prohibited in large concentrations) and a
number of the active ingredients in cold and flu preparations
(ie. pseudoephedrine). Side effects include increased
heart beat and can have an impact on the body’s
natural ability to regulate its temperature.
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Anabolic agents:
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Androgenic anabolic steroids (artificial
versions of the male hormone testosterone) belong to this class and are one of the more
commonly abused prohibited substances. Outside of its limited clinical use, anabolic
steroids are an illegal substance for doctors to prescribe. For persons looking to
increase sporting performance or to improve body image, access is obtained through a
growing ‘black market’ which exists in health centres and gymnasiums.
There can be serious side effects associated with
the use of anabolic steroids. Users (with or without constant medical supervision) risk
liver damage, baldness, acne, excessive hair growth on faces, backs, buttocks; changes in
sexual characteristics (males exhibiting some female characteristics and vice versa); and
potential infertility. Many anabolic steroids need to be injected, therefore exposing
users to the additional dangers associated with the use of needles (in particular if they
are not using new, sterile needles each time).
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Non-steroidal anabolic agents:
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This class includes beta 2 agonists that are
most commonly found in asthma medications. Some of these medications are banned. Others
have certain restrictions applied to their use. Salbutamol, Salmeterol and Turbutaline are
the only beta 2 agonists permitted and they are only permitted in inhaler form.
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Diuretics:
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This group is most commonly used by those athletes
who have to "make weight" prior to competition
(e.g. boxers). Diuretics increase urine production and
can make an athlete susceptible to dehydration. NOTE:
Diuretics are sometimes used by athletes to dilute their
urine in an attempt to mask the use and avoid detection,
of anabolic steroids. |
Peptide and glycoprotein hormones and analogues:
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Hormones act as messengers from one organ to
another to do such things as stimulate growth, influence sex drive, behaviour and
sensitivity to pain. Analogues are substances that act in a similar way to hormones.
Examples include the hormones human
chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), corticotrophin, human growth hormone (HGH - Somatotrophin)
and erythropoietin (EPO).
Risks to health include:
Growth hormones (taken in an attempt to increase muscle size and strength)
- acromegaly - athlete’s hands, feet and face grow very
large
- problems with joints and muscles making it very difficult
to train or compete
- diabetes.
Erythropoietin (taken to stimulate
red blood cell production for endurance purposes)
- an increase in blood viscosity - potential for
cardiovascular problems (stroke, heart attack)
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Narcotic Analgesics:
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- Narcotic analgesics are strong painkillers and are usually
only tested for in competition. A primary concern is that of athletes training or
competing with an injury that requires regular and constant pain relief - perhaps the
athlete would have a better result if the injury was treated with rest and an appropriate
training program rather than with excessive drugs.
- Many narcotics are illegal substances in civil
law (not just in sport).
- Narcotics are potentially addictive.
Note, there are many analgesics that are safe if
used correctly and are permitted (e.g. Panadol). Codeine
is now a permitted substance (e.g. Panadeine) as is
dextrpropoxyphene (e.g. Di-gesic).
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Blood doping
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Is the practise of removing blood a week or two
prior to competition then replacing it just before the competition. Meanwhile the body has
replaced the missing blood. The additional blood results in additional haemoglobin and
therefore a greater ability for oxygen uptake.
The practice is cheating and problems can arise if
the process is done with needles that are not sterile,
the blood is not stored correctly or another person's
blood is used - exposing the athlete to infections
such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis etc.
Note: The more recent production of
recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) is expected to lead to the practice of blood doping being
abandoned by athletes, since the desired effect can be achieved without the need for
transfusion. EPO is also a banned substance.
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Pharmacological, chemical or
physical manipulations
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These include examples such as an athlete injecting
or placing, via a condom into their bladder or vagina,
another person's urine to avoid a positive drug test.
The practise carries a high risk of infection.
Use of masking agents, ie. some substances are
taken to make the detection of anabolic steroids more difficult.
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IMPORTANT NOTE :
The IOC Medical Commissions list of
Prohibited Substances and Methods outline that out of competition testing is directed
solely at substances in the classes of anabolic agents, diuretics and peptide hormones and
analogues. Most sports adopt this list however some sporting organisations do not adopt
fully what is outlined in the IOC list. It is therefore relevant to advise sports trainers
and athletes to check with their sport as to which substances are banned and which are
tested for both in and out of competition.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THESE
AND OTHER DRUGS, PLEASE REFER TO THE FACT SHEETS ON THE AUSTRALIAN SPORTS DRUG AGENCY
SITE.
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Drugs in sport education aims to increase the skills and knowledge
of athletes, coaches, administrators and others who may influence and support the athlete.
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Drugs in sport education assists in:
- helping athletes avoid inadvertent doping
- reducing the concerns of athletes, coaches, administrators
and others regarding the drugs in sport issue and
- deterring athletes from using banned substances.
The drugs in sport education program consists of a range
of strategies dependent on the need of the individual or group
concerned.
Through the cooperation of the Australian Sports Drug Agency,
Sports Medicine Australia (SA Branch) and the government of
South Australia, there is support available to sports in the
provision of this education.
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The SPORTS DRUG EDUCATION UNIT PROJECT
can
- provide information sessions to athletes who are,
or have the potential to compete at the elite level
- assist in the integration of drugs in sport into
coach education and accreditation courses
- provide access to drugs in sport resources and services
- provide advice on doping policies.
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The DRUGS IN SPORT AWARENESS PROJECT
can
- provide awareness sessions to athletes who are at
a developmental level
- provide similar sessions to coaches, parents, sports
trainers and fitness leaders.
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If you wish to
discuss your drugs in sport education program, please contact
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Stephen Cornish
on (08) 8416 6618
SPORTS DRUG EDUCATION
UNIT PROJECT
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DRUGS IN SPORT HOTLINE
A toll free
confidential service which provides information to athletes, coaches and medical
professionals on the status of medications.
(Operates Monday - Friday 9-5 EST)
CALL 1800
020506
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