Drugs in sport

Drugs in sport

At the end of the lesson you should be able to...

• Understand the social and psychological reasons behind elite performers using illegal drugs and doping methods to aid performance. 
• Explain the physiological effects of drugs on the performer and their performance. 
• Identify the positive and negative implications to the sport and the performer of drug taking. 
• Outline strategies for elimination of performance-enhancing drugs in sport. 
• Analyze arguments for and against drug taking and testing.

What do you already know about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports?

Social and psychological reasons for drug use in sports

Elite performers use illegal drugs and doping methods for social reasons like 

a win-at-all-costs attitude, 

fame and fortune, 

pressure from various sources, and 

due to poor role models, 

as well as for psychological reason such as:

using beta-blockers to steady nerves, or

stimulants to boost confidence.

Physiological effects of performance-enhancing drugs

Drugs like: 

• anabolic steroids, 
• beta-blockers, 
• EPO, and 
• THG

have various physiological effects, 

• enhancing strength, 
• endurance, and 
• precision, 

but also carry risks such as liver damage and heart problems.

Positive and negative implications of drug use for sports and performers

Drug use can tarnish the integrity of sports and negatively affect the health and reputation of athletes.

Strategies for eliminating performance-enhancing drugs in sports

Strategies to eliminate drug use include:

• Education programs like UKAD's '100% Me', 
• Investment in testing technology, 
• Harsher punishments, and 
• International cooperation.

Arguments for and against the use of performance-enhancing drugs and testing

The debate over legalizing drugs in sports includes arguments about:

• the high cost of drug testing, 
• personal choice, and 
• leveling the playing field, 

versus the risks of:

• health effects, 
• negative role modeling, and 
• the ethics of fair play.

Definition List

Doping: The use of banned performance-enhancing drugs by athletic competitors. 

Stimulants: Drugs that induce temporary improvement in mental and physical functions. 

Erythropoietin (EPO): A hormone naturally produced by the kidneys to increase red blood cells, also artificially manufactured for performance enhancement. 

Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG): A banned steroid used to increase power. 

Definition List

BALCO: The 'Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative', involved in one of the biggest drug scandals in sports history. 

Whereabouts system: A system requiring athletes to supply their location details for out-of-competition testing. 

WADA: The World Anti-Doping Agency, which monitors the fight against drugs in sport.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.