EPO
What does EPO stand for?
Erythropoietin
What methods can be used by athletes who cannot access altitude?
Hypoxic Tent and deep breath holding techniques
Define steroid
A synthetically produced drugs that mimics the effect of the hormone testosterone
Define blood doping and how it works
Blood doping is the purposeful removal of blood from the body to then reinject the same blood a number of weeks later, thus increasing overall blood volume and oxygen carrying capcity, resulting in improved athletic performance.
What does WADA stand for?
World Anti Doping Agency
Identify 3 sports where the use of EPO would be beneficial
Cycling, Swimming, Triathlon, Marathon running, Ultra endurance events, other endurance related events
Briefly explain what altitude training is
Altitude training is a method of training where an athlete goes to a higher elevation profile (typically above 1500m) and stays in these conditions. An athlete may train (aerobically) or 'live' at these altitudes to allow their bodies to adapt and create more red blood cells due to the lack of oxygen.
Identify 4 sports that would benefit from the use of anabolic steroids and justify why
Strength, Power, Speed and Endurance activities:
- Weightlifters
- Sprinters
- All athletic jumping and throwing events
- Baseball pitcher
- Other
RBC's- Allow for the transport of O2 to the working muscles
WBC's- Fight infection and invasion of foreign material
Platlets- Clot the blood (cuts to open wounds and repair of internal artery and vein walls)
Plasma- Allows for the movement of other blood parts around the body (liquidity) and maintains hydration and function of the blood
State 4 reasons why an athlete might take a prohibited performance enhancing substance
Multiple answers:
- Recovery
- Money
- lack of results
- Education
- Pressure and expectations
- National/Politicl Ideals (Russia)
- Peers/other athlete success in using prohibited substances
Identify two ways that an athlete can legally enhance their performance in line with what happens with EPO usage and explain how it does this
Continuous Training
Altitude Training
Fartlek Training
HIIT Training
Which of the following athletes would most likely benefit from altitude training:
A. 400m Sprinter
B. Recreational marathon runner
C. Olympic Shot Putter
D. State level Long Jumer
B. Recreational marathon runner
Identify 3 side effects of using anabolic steroids
Possible infertility
Increased libido
Testicular atrophy
Baldness
Development of breast tissue
Briefly explain what the process of gene doping involves
The use of substances or techniques to manipulate cells or genes to improve athletic performance. It can include gene editing, gene silencing and gene transfer technologies’ and ‘the use of normal or genetically modified cells’.
Explain what beta blockers are an provide one example of a sport that would benefit from these.
Beta Blockers aid in accuracy and a steady hand via reduced heart rate, tension, body tremors and stops the hands from shaking.
Sports: Archery, shooting, darts (sports that require precision)
Clearly explain how the use of EPO enhances athletic performance with specific reference to the cardio respiratory systems
The use of EPO allows for an increased production of red blood cells (artificially; not naturally as the body can do). It then allows for a greater oxygen carrying capacity to deliver oxygen to the working muscles for physical activity. This then allows an athlete to be more efficient and less likely to fatigue over the duration of an activity, especially when the activity has an increase in intensity which can be sustained for longer by an athlete using EPO.
Identify one advantage and one barrier in relation to the use of altitude training
Barriers:
- Geographical location
- Cost
- Inconvenience
Advantage:
- Simulates 'real' conditions (normal oxygen environment)
Where in the human body is the natural production of the Human Growth Hormone
Pituitary Gland
Identify 3 side effects of blood doping
Increased viscosity (thickening) of blood
Blood clots
Increased risk of stroke and heart attack
Dehydration
Cardiac failure
Identify 2 mechanical permitted resistance methods to improve power, strength and speed and explain how they do this
- Tyres
- Parachutes
- Elastic cords
- Weighted vests
Where in the human body is EPO naturally produced and what part of the body does it transport to create red blood cells?
Kidneys and Bone Marrow
Identify 3 physiological changes that occur as a result of altitiude training.
Increase in: number of capillaries, production of naturally occurring EPO, production of red blood cells and haemoglobin, mitochondria, myoglobin, oxidative enzymes, buffering capacity
Define hypertrophy and explain how the use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone enable this
The enlargement of skeletal muscle tissue caused by an increase in the size of its individual cells.
Increased lean muscle mass and strength
Reduced fatigue
Increased rate of recovery
Increased aggression
Enhanced muscle and bone development
Increased muscle size and strength
Reduced recovery time
Increased healing time from injury
Name 2 ways WADA deters athletes from using Gene doping.
- Banning athletes (4 years)
- Sequencing athletes entire genomes to establish genetic baseline
- PCR testing
Explain the difference between aerobic and anaerobic and explain the relationship between them and intensity of exercise.
Aerobic- The use of O2 to create energy
Anaerobic- The production of energy without the avaialbility of O2
At lower intensities of exercise the body will have sufficient O2 to supply and produce energy aerobically. As intensity increase this will shift as intrnsities increase to maximal levels, whereby the body can no longer supply O2 sufficiently via aerobic means, thus increasing reliance on the anaerobic pathways of energy production.