DOPING

💥Meaning Of Doping

In modern times, there is a growing tendency for using 'Dopes' be the national and international players. It helps them for better performance on the field. In order to excel in a given event. Some athletes are tempted to seek a wonder drug that will give them a competitive edge over others. The main idea of doping is to improve the physical and mental power of the person. People of the world know about doping  for time. In order to improve the physical performance of the athletes, specialists, in ancient Greece, used to offer nutritional ingredients to them. Those specialists may be compared to the current sports medicine specialists. In third century B.C., the athletes were trying to increase their sports performance by taking mushrooms and opium. In the 1st century A.D., the Greek runners used to drink a herbal beverage to increase their strength and be capable to run long distance areas. For improving their strength, gladiators used various substances. In the modern era, the use of performances enhancing substances and techniques by the top bodybuilders of the world has been a major issue in the world of sports for nearly four decades. Since the beginning of 21st century many athletes are engaged in taking such substances. Some of them have been tested positive.

According to International Olympic Committee, "Doping is the use of any method or substance that might harm the athlete, in a quest to gain an unfair advantage, over his/her fellow competitors." In fact,

doping is the use of prohibited substances or methods designed to enhance an athlete's physical or mental abilities or to mask the use of such substances or methods during preparation for a participation in a bodybuilding competition.

       ✌TYPES OF DOPING

     💥Performance Enhancing Substances

1. Stimulants:- Stimulants are related to a group of drugs that enhance alertness and physical activity by increasing heart and breathing rates and the functions of the brain. The body gets stimulated, both physically and mentally by stimulants. They improve the reaction time and reduce the feelings of fatigue. Aggressiveness is also increased by them. Amphetamines, ephedrine, cocaine and adrafinil are commonly used stimulants which are used by athletes. These are taken orally, by nasal spray or injection.
2. Beta-2-Agonists:- These drugs are generally used to treat asthma. Only due to that this kind of drug is found in asthma inhalers. The muscles that surround the airways are relaxed by these drugs and they open the air passages. Indeed, these drugs allow more oxygen to reach the blood. Owing to that endurance athletes usually take such drugs to enhance the respiratory function, increase their capacity for strenuous efforts and resistance, shorten recovery time. Therefore, the athletes are stimulated by these drugs to win in sports competition.
3. Anabolic Steroids:- Anabolic steroids stimulate the growth of muscles and help athletes to train harder and recover rapidly. So, athletes enhance then performance in sports by increasing their muscle size and strength. Drostanolone, oxandrolone and metenolone are common anabolic steroids. These are taken orally or by intramuscular injection.
4. Cannabinoids:- Cannabinoids are pshychoactive chemicals that cause a feeling of relaxation. Examples of cannabinoids are marijuana and hashish. Such drugs are banned in competition.
5. Glucocorticosteroids:- Fatigue and pain are relieved by these drugs. These drugs increase the enhanced tolerance for pain and prepare the athletes to continue the efforts.

     

     💥Physical Methods

1. Blood Doping:- Blood doping is defined by WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (WADA) as the misuse of techniques or substance to increase one's red blood cells count. Some weeks prior to competition two units of athlete's blood is taken. This blood is frozen for one or two days before the competition when it is injected into the athlete. This is known as autologous blood doping. Homologous blood doping is the injection of fresh blood,removed from a second person. straight into the athlete. The oxygen carrying capacity to the muscles is increased by increasing the number of RBC,s so the muscle endurance is increased which ultimately enhance the sports performance. Artificial oxygen carries is also a second method of the blood doping which involves the use of artificial oxygen carriers. Haemoglobin oxygen carriers are chemicals or purified proteins which have the ability to carry oxygen . These are helpful in enhancing aerobic capacity.
2. Gene Doping:- The manipulating of cells or genes is known as gene doping. They enhance the body's sports performance. Modifying genes enable faster reaction and increase physical strength. Gene doping is based on the principles of gene therapy. The process of gene doping is likely to be used by athletes in future in an attempt to enhance the function of normal healthy cells. In the growth and development of musculo-skeletal structures gene therapy may play a vital role. It will speed up the repair of the injuries of tendons,muscles,ligaments,etc.                                                                                        

 

💥Side Effects of Prohibited Substances                                       

             

Anabolic Steroids:- Although there is a back of well-controlled studies in this field but still a number of studies have concluded the various side effects of anabolic steroids. These side effects are given below:-

1. Cardiovascular Effects:- The regular as well as long term use of steroids elevate the blood pressure and decrease [HDL] High Density Lipoprotein. Use of steroids also increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Sudden cardiac death may also happen by using steroids.
2. Psycological Effects:- By using steroids there are various psycological effects such as aggresion mood swings, depression, withdrawal from the problem and dependence on other persons. Steroids may cause the significant disturbance in the personality traits.
3. Endocrinal Effects:- Increase aggressiveness, sexual appetite may some times lead to criminal behaviour by using steroids. Males become impotent, testicles shrink, breast gets enlarged, reduce the sperm production and become bald. There are various side effects on females such as excessive hair growth on the face and body, masculinisation, abnormal menstural cycles, deeping of the voice, enlargement of clitoris, reduced breast size and premature puberty among female children. They can cause jaundice, cancer and liver tumors.