Performance-Enhancing Substances in Sports: A Review of the Literature
- PDF / 763,407 Bytes
- 15 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
- 52 Downloads / 207 Views
REVIEW ARTICLE
Performance-Enhancing Substances in Sports: A Review of the Literature Amit Momaya • Marc Fawal • Reed Estes
Ó Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015
Abstract Performance-enhancing substances (PESs) have unfortunately become ubiquitous in numerous sports, often tarnishing the spirit of competition. Reported rates of PES use among athletes are variable and range from 5 to 31 %. More importantly, some of these substances pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of athletes. Common PESs include anabolic–androgenic steroids, human growth hormone, creatine, erythropoietin and blood doping, amphetamines and stimulants, and beta-hydroxybeta-methylbutyrate. With recent advances in technology, gene doping is also becoming more conceivable. Sports medicine physicians are often unfamiliar with these substances and thus do not routinely broach the topic of PESs with their patients. However, to effect positive change in the sports community, physicians must educate themselves about the physiology, performance benefits, adverse effects, and testing methods. In turn, physicians can then educate athletes at all levels and prevent the use of potentially dangerous PESs.
A. Momaya (&) M. Fawal R. Estes University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1313 13th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA e-mail: [email protected]
Key Points Performance-enhancing substance (PES) use among athletes remains high and can pose a threat to the health and well-being of athletes. Sports medicine physicians should be knowledgeable on the variety of PESs available in order to better advise athletes on the risks and benefits. Through early education and awareness programs, health professionals can curb the use of banned or illicit PESs.
1 Introduction Performance-enhancing substances (PESs) have become widespread and a serious issue in sports. Often referred to as ‘doping’, the use of PESs refers to the use or manipulation of substances, synthetic or autologous, with the intention of altering sports performance. Greater media coverage coupled with improved and more frequent testing has brought further attention to the use of PESs by professional athletes over the past few decades. However, athletes at all levels, seeking to attain the highest performance, continue to use PESs despite the potential health risks and penalties [1, 2]. Physicians need to be aware of the prevalence of PESs in sports and their potential deleterious effects. With greater understanding, physicians can better educate athletes on PESs and curb the use of substances that may ultimately harm the athlete. The concept of PESs has been a part of competitive sport since its inception. Both Greek athletes competing in
123
A. Momaya et al.
the ancient Olympics and Roman gladiators used certain wines, herbal teas, and mushrooms to help enhance performance [1, 2]. Since then, PESs have evolved with advances in pharmaceutics. In 1998, a large number of PESs were found during a raid at the Tour de France. This event triggered the creation of the
Data Loading...
