Doping in Sports: An Overview

• Doping is the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to gain an unfair advantage in competitive sports.
• The World Anti-Doping Code, established by WADA, defines doping as violating anti-doping rules.
• Doping is unethical and prohibited by major international sports bodies like the International Olympic Committee.
• Athletes who attempt to evade detection increase the ethical breach through deception.
• Doping's origins date back to ancient chariot racing, and attitudes have varied across cultures and time periods.
• Sporting authorities enforce strict regulations on drug use due to health risks, fair competition, and promoting a drug-free sports culture.
• Anti-doping organizations emphasize that using performance-enhancing substances violates the "spirit of sport."

History of Doping in Sports

• Performance-enhancing substances use dates back to the origins of sports.
• Olympic athletes in ancient Greece were suspected of using herbal remedies for strength.
• Chariot racers in ancient Rome consumed herbal infusions to boost endurance.
• Scandinavian Berserkers were believed to drink a potent mixture containing Amanita muscaria mushrooms to enhance physical power.
• Charmis of Sparta (668 BC) introduced a special diet of dried figs to improve performance.
• British endurance walker Abraham Wood admitted to using laudanum (opium-based drug) in 1807 to stay awake during a 24-hour race.
• Ultra-long walking and cycling races (up to 840 km) became popular in England between the 1870s-1880s, with competitors using stimulants like nitroglycerine.
• American cyclist Major Taylor suffered hallucinations and paranoia, refusing to continue a race in New York.
• Reports criticized extreme endurance events as brutal and inhumane, with athletes experiencing temporary insanity.
• U.S. physician John Ziegler discovered Soviet weightlifters using testosterone in 1954.
• CIBA Pharmaceuticals collaborated with Ziegler in 1960 to develop methandrostenolone (Dianabol), the first oral anabolic steroid.
• Danish cyclist Knud Enemark Jensen collapsed and died during the 1960 Olympics; autopsy revealed amphetamines and nicotinyl tartrate.
• Doping in extreme endurance events was described as "de facto experiments" in human physiology.

Why Athletes Use Drugs

• Drugs are chemical substances that stimulate or alter a person's mental and physical state.
• An ergogenic aid enhances physical performance and increases work capacity.
• Drugs are chemical agents that affect living matter.
• Drugs can influence multiple organs when absorbed into the bloodstream.
• Drugs enhance performance by altering physiological functions.
• Athletes use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) for physical, psychological, competitive, and economic reasons.

Physical Reasons

• Enhanced strength and endurance achieved via anabolic steroids and EPO (Erythropoietin).
• Faster recovery from injuries by using Human Growth Hormone (HGH).
• Pain management through opioids and painkillers.

Psychological Reasons

• Pressure to win drives athletes to seek any advantage possible.
• Anxiety and stress reduction using beta-blockers in precision sports.
• Confidence boost through drugs that increase mental alertness and aggression.

Competitive & Social Factors

• Keeping up with rivals who also use drugs.
• Peer and coach influence encouraging drug use for better results.
• Cultural acceptance in some sports communities where doping is tolerated.

Economic & Career Motivations

• Sponsorship and financial gain from higher performance.
• Longevity in career by using PEDs to extend careers.
• Avoiding disqualification and retirement by using drugs to recover from injuries.

Commonly Used Drugs in Doping & Their Side Effects

Anabolic Steroids

• (e.g., Testosterone, Dianabol, Stanozolol)
• Purpose: Increase muscle mass, strength, and recovery.
• Side Effects: Liver damage, high blood pressure, infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, aggressive behavior.

Stimulants

• (e.g., Amphetamines, Ephedrine, Cocaine, Caffeine in high doses)
• Purpose: Increase alertness, reduce fatigue, enhance endurance.
• Side Effects: Increased heart rate, high blood pressure, insomnia, addiction, impaired judgement.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

• Purpose: Increase red blood cell production.
• Side Effects: Blood thickening, increased risk of sudden death, hypertension

Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

• Purpose: Promotes muscle growth and fat loss.
• Side Effects: Joint/muscle pain, swelling, diabetes, increased cancer risk.

Diuretics & Masking Agents

• (e.g., Furosemide, Spironolactone)
• Purpose: Reduce body weight, dilute urine to mask other drugs.
• Side Effects: Severe dehydration, kidney damage, muscle cramps, low blood pressure.

Beta-Blockers

• (e.g., Propranolol, Atenolol)
• Purpose: Reduce anxiety and tremors.
• Side Effects: Fatigue, low blood pressure, depression, breathing difficulties.

Blood Doping

• (Blood Transfusions & Artificial Oxygen Carriers)
• Purpose: Enhances endurance by increasing oxygen supply.
• Side Effects: Blood thickening, risk of infections, autoimmune reactions.

Dietary Supplements & Potential Risks

Protein Supplements

• (e.g., Whey, Casein, Soy Protein)
• Benefits: Muscle repair and recovery
• Risks: Kidney strain, digestive issues, contaminants.

Creatine

• Benefits: Improves high-intensity performance, increases muscle mass.
• Risks: Water retention, kidney stress, stomach discomfort.

Caffeine

• Benefits: Enhances alertness and endurance, reduces fatigue.
• Risks: Insomnia, increased heart rate, dehydration, potential addiction.

Pre-Workout Supplements

• Risks: High blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, jitteriness, nausea.

Fat Burners

• Risks: Rapid heart rate, increased anxiety, risk of heart-related complications.

IOC List of Doping Classes and Methods

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) follows the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines.
• The Prohibited List is updated annually and specifies prohibited substances and methods.

Prohibited Substances

• Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) [S1] Increases muscle mass, strength, and recovery

Examples of AAS

• Exogenous (Synthetic) Steroids (Stanozolol, Nandrolone, Methandienone, Oxandrolone, Trenbolone)
• Endogenous Steroids (Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone)

Side Effects of AAS

• Liver damage, cardiovascular issues, infertility
• Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors [S2] Enhances growth, oxygen transport, and muscle recovery

Examples of PHGF

• Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (EPO, Darbepoetin Alfa, HIF Stabilizers)
• Growth Hormones (HGH, Insulin-like Growth Factor)

Side Effects of PHGF

• Blood thickening, high blood pressure, heart attack
• Beta-2 Agonists [S3] Improves breathing efficiency and endurance

Examples of B2A

• Salbutamol, Formoterol, Clenbuterol, Terbutaline
• Increased heart rate, anxiety, muscle tremors, cardiovascular damage
• Hormone and Metabolic Modulators [S4] Enhances metabolism and hormone regulation.

Examples of HMM

• Aromatase Inhibitors (Anastrozole, Letrozole)
• Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) (Tamoxifen, Raloxifene)
• Myostatin Inhibitors
• Diuretics and Masking Agents [S5] Eliminates fluids and mask other banned substances

Examples of DMA

• Furosemide, Spironolactone, Hydrochlorothiazide, Acetazolamide, Probenecid
• Prohibited Methods
• Blood Manipulation [M1] Enhances oxygen-carrying capacity by increasing red blood cells

Examples of BM

• Blood Transfusions (Autologous or Homologous)
• Artificial Oxygen Carriers

Side Effects of BM

• Risk of infections, stroke, blood clotting disorders
• Chemical and Physical Manipulation [M2] Alters urine samples or prevents detection.

Examples of CPM

• Tampering with urine samples
• Use of catheterization, sample substitution, or IV infusions
• Gene and Cell Doping [M3] Genetically modifying muscle growth, endurance, and recovery

Examples of GCD

• Gene Therapy
• Cell Manipulation
• Substances Prohibited in Specific Sports

Stimulants

• [P1] (Banned in-competition)
• Purpose: Boosts alertness and reaction time.

Examples of S

• Amphetamines, Cocaine, Ephedrine, Modafinil, Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• Narcotics [P2] (Banned in-competition) Reduces pain and fatigue

Examples of N

• Morphine, Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Tramadol (under review) Cannabinoids [P3] (Banned in-competition) Relaxation, pain relief
• Beta-Blockers [P4] (Banned in precision sports) Reduces heart rate and hand tremors

Substances Prohibited Only in Certain Cases

• Caffeine (High doses above 12 mcg/mL in urine)
• Alcohol (Banned in sports like motor racing, archery, shooting)

Blood Doping

• Injecting whole blood or packed red blood cells (RBCs) before competition.

Autologous Blood Doping

• Withdraws blood weeks before and reintroduces after regeneration.

Homologous Blood Doping

• Blood from donor with matching blood.
• Banned due to health risks and unfair advantages.

Risks & Side Effects of Blood Doping

• Unsterile transfusions cause infections, including HIV and hepatitis.
• Increased red blood cell count, risking blood clots, heart attack, and stroke.
• Mismatch Risk: Allergic reactions, kidney failure, death.
• Prevention of Doping in Sports
• Legislation & Government Regulations: National and international laws.
• Athletic Association Regulations: Enforcing anti-doping policies.

Essentials of Doping Control in Sports

• Random & Spot Testing is used to detect banned substances.
• Urine testing ensures fair play.
• Innocent athletes should not be disgraced, while guilty athletes should be disqualified.
• A list of prohibited drugs should be provided to all team physicians.
• Pharmaceutical companies should label products with chemical names.
• Random spot-checks should be conducted during training.
• Regular weight checks can help detect substance misuse.

Problems with the Supply of Medicines under IOC Regulations

• Issues with the Supply of Medicines under IOC Regulations
• Limited Availability of Approved Medications
• Strict regulations limit access to certain medicines.
• International athletes face supply inconsistencies.
• Risk of Contamination in Medicines & Supplements
• Many over-the-counter supplements contain banned substances.
• Lack of standardized regulations increases the risk of consuming contaminated or mislabeled drugs.

Black Market & Unregulated Drug Sales

• The high demand for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) has led to a black market.
• Regulatory compliance is essential in maintaining the integrity of sports and protecting athlete health.
• Doping has been a challenge in Indian sports, affecting athletes across disciplines.
• NADA is responsible for conducting dope tests, educating athletes, and enforcing WADA.
• Conducts random and targeted doping tests.
• Educates athletes about anti-doping rules and risks.