Performance-Enhancing Substances

Overview

• Ergogenic Aids Defined

• Types of Ergogenic Aids

• Dietary Supplements

• Anabolic Steroids, Blood Doping, EPO

• Dangerous Supplements

Ergogenic Aid Defined

• Any substance (performance enhancing drugs and dietary supplements) or phenomenon (i.e. altitude training, weight training…) taken or used for the purpose of improving sport performance

Types of Ergogenic Aids • Ergogenic aids fall into the following

categories:

–Mechanical Aids (i.e., resistance training)

–Dietary Supplements (i.e., vitamins)

–Physiological Aids (i.e., massage, altitude training)

–Psychological Aids (i.e., cheering)

–Drugs (i.e., anabolic steroids)

Types of Mechanical Aids• Any physical object that affects sports performance

• They are usually safe

– Weights, Weighted Vests, Uphill/Downhill Running, Heart Rate Monitors, Parachutes, Treadmills, Solid Disk Wheels for Cycling

– Nasal Strips

– Streamlined Swimsuits – Computers/video recorders - analyze VO2 max,

technique, test results etc Weights – Clothing and Footwear– Timing Equipment

Dietary Supplements• The sport supplement industry throughout

the world has exploded, with more than 600 sport nutrition companies marketing over 4,000 products that produce annual sales of more than $4 billion in the United States alone

Dietary Supplements• The distinction between a drug and a dietary

supplement is linked to FDA approval for safety and effectiveness

• Definition of Products That Can Be Sold as Dietary Supplements:

– A product (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the diet that contains one or moreof the following dietary ingredients:• vitamin, mineral, amino acid, herb or other botanical

• The product must also be intended for ingestion and cannot be advertised for use as a conventional food or as the sole item within a meal or diet.

Dietary Supplements Regulation• Under the Dietary Supplement Health and

Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), the dietary supplement manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that a dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed

• FDA is responsible for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement product after it reaches the market

• Generally, manufacturers do not need to register their products with FDA nor get FDA approval before producing or selling dietary supplements.

• www.fda.gov

Buyer Beware• Be aware of claims that the products being

advertised will produce rapid results

• Beware of claims for products that seem unreasonably distorted e.g. "25 lbs of muscle in one month."

• Be aware of recommendations that have been taken from one study that supports the sale of the product

• Be cautious about recommendations that focus only on selling the product

• Be aware of recommendations that are taken from studies that have been published without peer review

Protein and Amino Acid Supplementation: Do They Work?

• “Heavy resistance exercise increases the rates of both protein synthesis and protein breakdown in muscle for some hours after a workout, but in the absence of food intake, the rate of breakdown exceeds the rate of synthesis. This means that if weightlifters do not eat after they work out, they actually begin to lose muscle mass”

• www.gssiweb.com

Protein and Amino Acid Supplementation: Do They Work?

• “It appears that only a small amount of food is required to produce an environment within the muscle that favors protein building, at least for a few hours. For example, ingesting a drink containing 6 grams of essential amino acids, either immediately prior to exercise or during the first few hours of recovery, seems to promote an “anabolic” environment within the muscle. Although not yet proven, this may lead to enhanced muscle growth during habitual training.” (www.gssiweb.com)

Protein and Amino Acid Supplementation: Do They Work?

• American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Dietetic Association (ADA), and Dietitians of Canada (DC) have concluded that athletes have only slightly higher protein requirements than do non-athletes

• The vast majority of athletes consume protein in their normal diets far in excess of any increased protein requirement.

• If good nutrition is followed and energy intake is sufficient to maintain body weight, athletes require about15% of their total caloric intake from protein and do not need to fortify their diets with expensive protein or amino acid supplements (www.gssiweb.com)

Caffeine• A central nervous stimulant

• Ergogenic aid that may enhance performance in aerobic and anaerobic athletes

• “Recent, well-controlled studies have established that moderate doses of caffeine ingested 1 hour prior to exercise enhances the performance of certain types of endurance exercise in the laboratory. The results are specific to well-trained elite or recreational athletes. There is little information on the performance and metabolic effects of caffeine in recreationally active or untrained individuals” (www.gssiweb.com)

Caffeine• Adverse Effects

–Anxiety

–Gastrointestinal Disturbances

–Restlessness

–Insomnia

–Tremors

–Heart Arrhythmias

–Increased Risk for Heat Illness

–Is physically addicting

L-Carnitine• L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid which

stimulates the breakdown of fat• It transports fatty acids into the mitochondria

• Studies examining L-carnitine’s role as an ergogenic aid for increasing fat oxidation have not shown clear efficacy

• Studies show L-carnitine may enhance recovery from exercise

Creatine• Creatine, in the form of creatine

phosphate (CP), has an essential role in energy metabolism as a substance for the formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), especially during short-duration, high-intensity exercise.

Creatine• 50% of creatine in our bodies is ingested

through the foods we eat while the other 50% is made in the liver, kidney, and pancreas. Roughly one-third is in its free form as creatine, while the remainder is bound to phosphate (University of Maryland Medical Center)

• The primary dietary sources of creatine are:–Fish: herring, salmon, tuna, cod–Beef–Pork

Creatine Supplementation• Creatine supplementation has been

shown to increase strength and improve training by reducing fatigue and enhancing post-workout recovery

• Body Mass Changes–Prolonged creatine supplementation has

been generally associated with increases in body weight, especially increases in fat-free mass

Creatine Side Effects• Controlled studies have been unable to

document any significant side effects from creatine supplementation

• Dehydration: – Much of our body water follows creatine into

skeletal muscle, possibly depriving our remaining tissues of much needed fluid, especially when exercising in hot and humid environments. this may lead to impaired thermoregulation and subsequent heat exhaustion

Creatine Side Effects• Concerns include gastrointestinal disturbances

and strain on the kidneys • Gastrointestinal Distress:

– Stomach Cramps– Nausea– Flatulence– Diarrhea

• These side effects are primarily due to the presence of large quantities of undisclosed creatine particles

• Hydration helps break down those undisclosed creatine particles

Nitric Oxide • Nitric Oxide is synthesized by the body to help keep

blood vessels relaxed and flexible• Nitric Oxide supplementation (NO2) promises muscle

hypertrophy, increases in muscle strength and recovery, and muscle pump

• There are no scientific studies showing NO2 supplementation directly increases nitric oxide levels in the blood by a significant level

• Side effects include diarrhea,

nausea, and weakness• Very expensive-retails for $80.00

Anabolic Steroids• The synthetic (man-made)

derivatives of the male sex hormone, testosterone

• Anabolic refers to muscle-building• Androgenic refers to increased

masculine characteristics• Steroids refers to the class of

drugs

Anabolic Steroids• Who Uses Anabolic Steroids?

• Olympic athletes, professional athletes, collegiate athletes, and high school athletes have been reported to use steroids

• Many users are not involved in sports; they use steroids to improve appearance

• Ergogenic Benefits• Muscle Mass and Strength

–Increases in muscle protein synthesis with steroid use are likely responsible for increases in lean body mass

–Changes occur in both recreationally trained and competitive athletes

Anabolic Steroids• Dosing

– Athletes typically use anabolic steroids in a “stacking” regimen, in which they administer several different drugs simultaneously

– Most users take anabolic steroids in a cyclic pattern, meaning that they use the drugs for several weeks or months and alternate these cycles with periods of discontinued use.

– Often athletes administer the drugs in a pyramid (step-up) pattern in which dosages are steadily increased over several weeks. Toward the end of the cycle, the athlete “steps down” to reduce the likelihood of negative side effects.

• Potential Female Side Effects: – Masculinization – Growth of facial hair– Male-pattern

baldness– Changes in or

cessation of the menstrual cycle

– Enlargement of the clitoris

– Deepened voice– Severe acne

Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic Steroids• Potential Male Side

Effects: – Feminization: excessive

levels of testosterone are converted into estrogen

– Gynecomastia: development of breasts

– Decreased testicular size

– Decreased sperm count– Impotence– Baldness– Increased risk for

prostate and liver cancer– Acne

Anabolic Steroids• Adolescents

–Growth halted prematurely through premature skeletal maturation and accelerated puberty changes.

–Risk remaining short for the remainder of their lives if they take anabolic steroids before the typical adolescent growth spurt

• People who inject anabolic steroids run the added risk of contracting or transmitting HIV/AIDS or hepatitis

Anabolic Steroids• Anabolic steroids are available legally

only by prescription, to treat conditions that occur when the body produces abnormally low amounts of testosterone, such as delayed puberty and some types of impotence

• They are also prescribed to treat body wasting in patients with AIDS and other diseases that result in loss of lean muscle mass

Blood Doping• Blood doping refers to any illegal method of

boosting an athlete's red blood cell supply in advance of competition

• Since red blood cells carry oxygen through the bloodstream, increasing their number allows an athlete's blood to deliver oxygen to muscles more efficiently, reducing fatigue and giving the athlete an edge.

• Endurance athletes often train at high altitude for precisely this reason. The lower air pressure and diminished atmospheric oxygen at altitude spur the body to generate extra red blood cells

Types of Blood Doping Transfusions• Red blood cells from a

compatible donor are harvested, concentrated and then transfused into the athlete’s circulation prior to competition

• The athlete harvests his or her own RBC’s well in advance of competition and then re-introduces them before competition

Blood Doping • Side Effects:

–Infection and the potential toxicity of improperly stored blood

–AIDS–Hepatitis–Malaria –A Transfusion Reaction–Heart Failure–Embolism (traveling blood clot)–Stroke–Sudden Death

Erythropoietin (EPO)• A naturally occurring hormone,

produced by the kidneys, which stimulates the body to produce more red blood cells

• It is used to treat anemia• It can be given to people with

cancer who have anemia, either because of the disease or their chemotherapy treatment

Erythropoietin (EPO)• Side Effects:

– Injections of EPO are associated with elevations in both hematocrit (amount of red blood cells) and hemoglobin (oxygen carrying pigment in red blood cells)

– Blood becomes more viscous (heart cannot pump thick blood)

– Heart Attack, Stroke, Sudden Death– High blood pressure– Headaches– Dehydration– Fainting or feeling light-headed – Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) – Infection – Multiple punctures to locate veins

Dangerous Dietary Supplements

• Ephedrine (Ma Huang ):

–Structurally similar to the amphetamines

–Increases risks of heart attack, stroke, seizures, psychosis and death

–Increases heart rate and blood pressure

–Dizziness, headaches, tremors, nervousness, gastrointestinal distress, heart palpitations, irregular heart beat

Dangerous Dietary Supplements• Androstenedione:

– A "prohormone" steroid that can be converted to testosterone and is marketed as a supplement that can increase muscle mass and strength.

– Associated with decreases in HDL cholesterol and increases in serum estrogen levels, which may have adverse health consequences during long-term supplementation

– The NCAA, IOC, and NFL all ban Androstenedione

Dangerous Dietary Supplements

• Yohimbine–Extracted from yohimbe bark

–It supposedly increases serum testosterone levels

–Side effects include headaches, anxiety, psychological tension, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, heart palpitations, and hallucinations

Dangerous Dietary Supplements• Kava:

– An herb included in supplements – Allegedly promotes relaxation and relieves

menopausal symptoms.– Kava-containing products have been

associated with hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure

– In the U.S., the FDA had received a report of a previously healthy young female who required a liver transplant, as well as several reports of liver-related injuries associated with the use of kava

Dangerous Dietary Supplements• Hydroxycut

– Associated with jaundice and liver failure

• Ripped Fuel, Metabolife, Diet Fuel– Contained Ephedrine

• Alli – Linked to breast cancer, liver and bowel problems,

and prevents the body from absorbing essential nutrients

Banned Ergogenic Aids• Ergogenic aids are banned

from athletic competition when it provides an unfair competitive advantage or is a significant health risk

• Each year the list of banned substances is subject to change

Banned Ergogenic Aids

• Blood Doping• Erythropoietin• Amphetamines • Methadone• Beta Blockers • Human Growth

Hormone

• Diuretics

• Testosterone

• Androstenedione

• Cocaine

• Codeine

• Morphine

• Heroin

Save Your Money

• The most important factor for an for an active individual is to take in enough calories

• Sufficient calories from carbohydrates are needed to fuel the body so that protein is used to build and repair muscle tissue.

• Otherwise, with low calorie diets, protein is burned for energy instead

Save Your Money• Carbohydrates provide fuel for the

muscles, and also bring about a hormonal response that enhances muscle synthesis

• Studies have shown that when the ratio of protein to carbohydrate intake is 1:4 (15 percent of calories from protein and 60 percent of calories from carbohydrates), testosterone levels used in muscle building have been known to increase the most for all healthy people

Save Your Money• Carbohydrates, eaten within one hour of

resistance training (1 gram of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight), will also decrease the breakdown of muscle protein and help build muscle tissue

• In addition to what you eat, resistance training is the best way to increase lean body mass.

• There are no short cuts or quick fixes