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Ergogenic Aids
With better dope testing methods and hence the possibilities of
detection and life ban from the sport, athletes and coaches are looking for
legal ways to improve performance and/or hasten recovery. The various ways by
which performance can be improved are known as Ergogenic Aids.
Ergogenic Aids may:
- directly influence the physiological capacity of a particular
body system thereby improving performance
- remove psychological constraints which impact performance
- increase the speed of recovery from training and
competition
Categories
Ergogenic aids fall into the following categories:
Banned Ergogenic Aids
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has drawn up a list of
banned substances and doping methods that most sports governing bodies have
accepted. The use of drugs to enhance performance is considered unfair and it
puts the health of the athlete at risk.
Cautionary Notes
- The IOC list of banned substances is based on Doping Classes
and Doping Methods, not all substances belonging to the class are listed. Do
not assume that because a substance is not listed it is not banned. Lists of
banned substances are periodically revised. Always check with the medical
officer of the sport or the Sports Council if you are in doubt. Athletes, this is your responsibility.
- Different sporting organizations may ban different drugs. It
is advisable to check with the relevant governing body. Medical officers should
also liaise closely with their governing body regarding the relevant prohibited
classes.
- Banned substances are not only contained in medicines that may
be prescribed by doctors. They may be found in over the counter preparations. A
family doctor or local pharmacist may not be fully aware of the restrictions on
medications. Always check medications with the governing body medical officer
or with the Sports Council.
- Do not use medications from overseas unless they have been
cleared with the governing body medical officer. Do not rely on brand names of
medications available overseas. A permitted brand name in the United Kingdom
may contain a banned substance in its overseas version.
- Some so-called 'vitamin' preparations and nutritional
supplements may contain banned substances. Beware 'vitamins preparations which
can be purchased here or overseas. There is no legal requirement for
manufacturers to list all the contents of food supplements. Therefore, it is
difficult to determine whether they would contravene the doping regulations as
all ingredients may not be indicated, and indeed may vary from batch to
batch.
If you are not sure, do not take
it.
Associated Pages
The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:
Associated Books
The following books provide more information related to this topic:
- Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
- Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
- Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
- Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
- The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
- Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
- Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
- Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
- PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2
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