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Question 32 b (12 marks - 2012 HSC PDHPE Exam) Evaluate the risks and ethical issues related to the use of drugs to improve performance.

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The use of drugs is sport is always a hot topic around the globe. There are many people who were considered possibly the greatest athletes of all time, who, due to the use of drugs, have now shamed the sport and their name (e.g. Lance Armstrong). For HSC PDHPE use of drugs needs to be considered from an ethical perspective, not just a performance enhancing view point.

The use of drugs in sport requires you to have a general understanding of how performance enhancing drugs work and the risks associated with them, in order to justify why the use of drugs is considered unethical (you should not try to say it is... ever).

You are also required to understand the role of drug testing, and argue issues related to this testing. So although the benefits and limitations of drug testing is just a dash point below, the learn to makes it very important for you to examine.
Students learn about: Students learn to:
justify the reasons drugs are considered to be unethical and carry a range of risks for the athlete

argue issues related to drug testing such as:

at what level of competition should drug testing be introduced?

which drugs should be tested for?

what are the pros and cons of drug testing?

what should be the consequences of drug use?

The syllabus also has a teacher note for the use of drugs in sport. It says

Students need only a general understanding of the performance-related effects of, and the harm associated with, using drugs. Ethical considerations - such as fair play versus cheating, whether the drug use is for personal success or because sport is 'big business' - need to be explored.

If you haven't already, I encourage you to read through the following articles:

You may also like to check out Sandor Earls interview with the Footy Show as you consider the pressures on athletes and how the use of drugs can affect athletes.

Past HSC PDHPE exam questions

(a) (i) What is ONE benefit and ONE limitation of drug testing? 2 Marks

(a) (ii) Why are performance enhancing drugs considered unethical in sport? 6 Marks

(b) Evaluate the risks and ethical issues related to the use of drugs to improve performance. 12 Marks

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https://www.youtube.com/embed/kqYPckwAvUY?list=PLesvqngPCeVMgJP0HvYTtLrpzbuc5DTPdThe use of drugs is sport is always a hot topic around the globe. There are many people who were considered possibly the greatest athletes of all time, who, due to the use of drugs, have now shamed the sport and their name (e.g. Lance Armstrong).

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Ergogenic Aids- HSC PDHPE Flashcards | Quizlet

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Start studying Ergogenic Aids- HSC PDHPE. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.

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People use performance enhancers to improve their performance during high-intensity physical exercise. A performance enhancer, or ergogenic aid, is anything that gives you a mental or physical edge while exercising or competing. This can range from caffeine and sports drinks to illegal substances. There are a variety of both safe and harmful ergogenic aids.

Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other botanicals that are taken by mouth and don't also contain controlled substances can be labeled a "supplement."

Many of these supplements are marketed to boost athletic performance. However, scientific proof of their effectiveness is sometimes lacking or contradictory.

There are other ergogenic aids that are generally recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Examples include naturally occurring compounds like:

Hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB)

HMB is an amino acid found naturally in the body. It's said to enhance and strengthen muscle as well as help slow the breakdown of muscle during exercise.

Research hasn't proven that HMB will enhance athletic performance. When taken at standard doses of about 3 grams, the supplement is generally considered safe. However, in large doses, it can be harmful to the kidneys.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)

CLA is a type of fat that athletes take to reduce muscle damage and increase lean body mass after exercise. The supplement is especially popular with bodybuilders, who use it to enhance recovery.

A review of six research studies published in the journal Nutrients concluded that taking CLA supplements can have an effect on reducing body fat in those who also engage in a resistance training exercise program.

However, CLA can cause side effects, including upset stomach, nausea, and fatigue. It can also impact how well the body uses insulin for energy. CLA can interact negatively with certain medications, like antipsychotics.

Carnitine

Carnitine transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria. This allows them to be burned for energy, which can boost exercise performance. The body's liver and kidneys naturally produce lysine and methionine, amino acids that break down into carnitine.

Carnitine hasn't yet been scientifically proven to enhance athletic performance. Even so, many athletes continue to take the supplement. Taking more than 3 grams of carnitine per day can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramping, and diarrhea. Carnitine can also interact harmfully with some medications, such as pivampicillin, an antibiotic.

Chromium

Chromium is a trace mineral in the body, but it's essential to daily body functioning. The mineral is said to increase lean muscle mass, burn fat, and enhance a person's energy levels. However, chromium hasn't been proven to enhance athletic performance.

Drugstores often sell the mineral as chromium picolinate. Taking too much chromium can be harmful because it's associated with damaging DNA and healthy fats.

Creatine

Muscles use creatine to release energy, which enhances lean muscle mass and increases muscle energy. While creatine is a natural substance, it's also produced in a laboratory and sold as a supplement. Those who take creatine often do so as a means to build muscle mass.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there's no scientific research indicating that creatine does enhance athletic performance. Taking creatine is also not without its side effects. For example, creatine can cause weight gain, muscle cramping, and stomach cramping. Additionally, the liver and kidneys must filter creatine. Taking an excessive amount can put a strain on these important organs, which could potentially damage them.

Individual results may vary for all of these supplements. There is still limited scientific evidence to support some of the supplements' claims. Talk to your doctor or athletic trainer about the safety and effectiveness of individual supplements.

The NCAA and the Olympics commission have banned some substances. This is because they offer an unfair advantage or can cause harm to the athlete. These include:

Anabolic and other steroids

Anabolic and other steroids are illegal in sporting events and according to the law. The side effects are numerous and potentially fatal. Examples include androstenedione, stanozolol, axiron, and fortesta.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

DHEA is possibly the most abundant steroid in humans. Using synthetic versions to increase steroid production is potentially dangerous.

Diuretics

Diuretics are medications that cause a person to urinate more frequently. Athletes use diuretics in the hopes that they will help dilute performance-enhancing drugs. Diuretics can cause a variety of harmful side effects such as cramping, dizziness, blood pressure drops, and electrolyte imbalances.

Blood doping

Blood doping is the process of boosting red blood cells to help carry more oxygen to the muscles and lungs. It can be done through a blood transfusion or by taking drugs like erythropoietin.

Erythropoietin is a medication doctors prescribe for people who don't make a lot of red blood cells. Athletes use the medicine to make more red blood cells in their bodies. This can increase a person's ability to use oxygen because these cells carry oxygen. Endurance athletes may especially try to use erythropoietin because they believe they can perform longer with more oxygen. However, using the medication when not medically needed can cause blood clots and death.

Blood doping is the process that cost Lance Armstrong his Tour de France titles.

Ephedrine

Ephedrine is a central nervous stimulant. Ephedrine produces similar effects to adrenaline, but it too can be dangerous. It can cause serious cardiovascular effects, including stroke, and a whole host of other problems. Both athletic organizations and the FDA have banned it.

Human growth hormone (HGH)

HGH is a drug developed to help children with growth disorders. It stimulates cell reproduction and regeneration. Athletes looking to gain an edge abuse this drug. It's banned in all professional sports. Potential complications include enlarged organs and chronic disease.

Many infamous drugs, supplements, and practices can give athletes an unfair advantage. They can cause more damage than stripping an athlete of a title. For example, anabolic and other steroids that affect a person's hormones can cause long-term health problems, or even death.

In the end, training, dedication, hydrating fluids, and proper diet are better than any ergogenic aids for boosting performance.

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Performance Enhancers: The Safe and the Deadly

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People use performance enhancers to improve their performance during high-intensity physical exercise. A performance enhancer, or ergogenic aid, is anything that gives you a mental or physical edge while exercising or competing. This can range from caffeine and sports drinks to illegal substances. There are a variety of both safe and harmful ergogenic aids.

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Ergogenic aids, also known as performance-enhancing drugs, are substances that are used to improve any form of activity performance in humans. There are two main types of ergogenic aid; Safe and Harmful

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vitamins, minerals, herbs that are taken by mouth and don’t also contain controlled substances can be labelled a ‘supplement’ or a ‘safe aid’. Safe Aids include protein powders and foods. (creatine and carnitine).

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Multiple substances have been banned in advanced competition as they offer an unethical and unfair advantage in competition, or can cause harm to the athlete. Some substances include; diuretics, steroids and blood doping. Anaabolic and other steroids that affect a person’s hormones can cause long-term health problems, or even death.

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The dangers of performance enhancing drug use include the effects such use may have on an athlete’s reputation. A positive result in a drug test will have the athlete lose this reputation overnight. When an athlete loses their reputation and begins to be seen negatively in the media, many companies who sponsor the athlete will lose their sponsorship

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The purpose of drug tests is about promoting fair play and making sport safe for the athlete. The arguments and issues presented with drug testing are; At What Level of Competition Should Drug Testing be introduced, Which drugs should be tested for, Which Drugs Should Be Tested For, and What should be the consequences for drug use.

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Benefits and Limitations of Drug Testing

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Benefits and Limitations of Drug Testing

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Benefits of drug testing include: creating a deterrent for athletes who may consider to use drugs to cheat in sport, promoting drug-free sport that incorporates fair play, promoting safety in sport and promoting equity in sport

The limitations of drug testing include; that not all drugs can be tested for and new drugs are being created, testing exposes the athlete (nudity) before the tester, new prohibited lists are developed each year, which athletes need to know and follow as they are currently held responsible, and testing can be expensive

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The Dangers of Performance Enhancing Drug Use

The dangers of performance enhancing drug use are extensive. There are dangers to the athlete's physical health, a loss of reputation, loss of sponsorship deals, and a loss of income. For an elite athlete the dangers of performance enhancing drug use should be enough to deter them from use.

Physical dangers of performance enhancing drug use

The physical dangers of performance enhancing drug use are specific to the drug. The HSC PDHPE syllabus dictates that you know only five (5) drugs: human growth hormone, anabolic steroids, erythropoietin (EPO), diuretics, and alcohol. These five drugs are used for three (3) purposes: strength gains, aerobic capacity, and masking drug use. Due to their specific nature the physical dangers of these drugs will be examined at: for strength, for aerobic performance, and to mask other drugs.

Reputation dangers of performance enhancing drug use

The dangers of performance enhancing drug use include the effects such use may have on an athletes reputation. Elite athletes regularly complete drug tests. A positive result in a drug test of an elite player often hits the media very quickly and is wide spread. An athlete may have spent a long time building a reputation, not just as a physically dominant athlete, but also off the field as many elite athletes are now held up as role models.

A positive result in a drug test will have the athlete lose this reputation overnight. They will be labelled a liar, a cheat, and many other things as their career spirals downward. This loss of reputation will affect other aspects of their life as well. Lance Armstrong has lost his stellar reputation because it was later revealed that he had been cheating.

Sponsorship and income dangers of performance enhancing drug use

Elite athlete's often have sponsorship with leading brands in the industry. These sponsors can often bring in large amounts of income for the athlete and for some are what allows them to continue as a professional athlete. When an athlete loses their reputation and begins to be seen negatively in the media, many companies who sponsor the athlete will stop their sponsorship, and often will fine the athlete for the effect the media has on their brand. Many sponsorship deals have clauses that relate to negative media exposure and the use of drugs, allowing them to remove their sponsorship quickly when an athlete is caught cheating.

Other dangers of performance enhancing drug use

It goes without saying, but an athlete who is caught using drugs runs the risk of being suspended or excluded form their sport. Sandor Earl for example, was suspended from playing rugby league because of his drug use and Lance Armstrong was excluded from everything connected with cycling. This results in further loss of income and can affect the entire life of the athlete, who relies on their athletic career to support themselves and their family.

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The Dangers of Performance Enhancing Drug Use

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The dangers of performance enhancing drug use are extensive. There are dangers to the athlete's physical health, a loss of reputation, loss of sponsorship deals, and a loss of income. For an elite athlete the dangers of performance enhancing drug use should be enough to deter them from use.