Transcript Doping in Sport

Doping in Sports
Analysis of the use of
doping in professional sports
Performance-enhancing
drugs in sport
The use of performance-enhancing drugs in human sport is commonly
referred to by the term doping, particularly by those organizations that
regulate competitions. The use of performance enhancing drugs is mostly
done to improve athletic performance. This is why many sports ban the use
of performance enhancing drugs. Another similar use of medical technology
is called blood doping, either by blood transfusion or use of the hormone
erythropoietin (EPO). The use of drugs to enhance performance is
considered unethical by most international sports organizations and
especially the International Olympic Committee, although ethicists have
argued that it is little different from the use of new materials in the
construction of suits and sporting equipment, which similarly aid
performance and can give competitors an unfair advantage over others. The
reasons for the ban are mainly the alleged health risks of performanceenhancing drugs, the equality of opportunity for athletes, and the exemplary
effect of "clean" ("doping-free") sports for the public.
Regulatory of doping
The regulations prohibit sports doping, strictly specifying the types and doses of
drugs allowed, and put in writing the requirement for athletes to submit to doping
control, conducted by analysis of urine and in some cases even blood (cross
checking). Athletes who test positive for analysis (in recent years, prefers the term
non-negative) are disqualified for a period longer or shorter, in cases of relapse
can be reached in disqualification for life. The International Olympic Committee
(IOC) has established a special agency, WADA, which deals with the fight against
doping. In recent years in Italy and other countries has become a doping offense,
under
the
case
of
sporting
fraud.
It is the law of December 14, 2000 n. 376 "Regulation on the protection of health
of the sport and the fight against doping", which allows more precise
individuation of the doping and allows you to more effectively target a practice
that was previously punishable only on the sport. It is punishable by both the
athlete who uses performance-enhancing drugs, is the doctor who prescribes or
administers,
or
those
who
trade
in
prohibited
drugs.
On October 23, 2007 is approved the introduction of the biological passport, a
document that records the personal profile (blood and urine values) of each rider.
The decree of 12 March 2009 approved a performance-enhancing substances
considered, divided into five sections.
Diffusion of doping
The countries of Eastern Europe
(DDR in the first place), played the
role of pioneers in this field, applying a
systematic doping in the period from
the fifties to the eighties especially in
athletes who participated in the
Olympics. Little was known of the side
effects
data
from
substances
administered to the athletes, while the
improvements were evident in terms
of physical structure and competitive
results, especially for female athletes
who were "treated" with male
hormones. This has led to serious
physical and psychological damage to
many athletes and there are some who
actually like the weightlifter Heidi
Krieger was forced now given the
enormous changes in the physical to
become
a
man.
Effects of doping
In sports which physical strength is
favored, athletes have resorted to
anabolic steroids, known for their
ability to increase physical strength and
muscle mass79. The drug mimics the
effect
of
testosterone
and
dihydrotestosterone in the body80.
They were developed after Eastern
Bloc countries demonstrated success in
weightlifting during the 1940's81. At
the time they were using testosterone,
which carried with it negative effects;
anabolic steroids were developed as a
solution. The drug has been used
across a wide range of sports from
football and basketball.
Effect of doping in men
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Acne
Impaired liver function
Impotency
Breast formation
Increase in estrogen
Errectile dysfunction
Increased sex drive
Male pattern baldness
Effect of doping in women
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Hair loss
Male pattern baldness
Hypertrophy of the clitoris
Increased sex drive
Irregularities of the menstrual cycle
Development of masculine facial traits
Increased coarseness of the skin
Premature closure of the epiphysis
Origins of doping
Doping has probably the same age of sport. It 'was born when man wanted to
compare their skills with his fellow man or animals (reproducing the scenes
of battles and hunting events for recreational purposes) and to do so, began
to prepare for comparison with the aid of any system. Doping, more or less
subtly crept as unfair and dangerous practice for the achievement of the sport
and, therefore, for the achievement of awards and honors as easier and faster.
The goal was to win. Not only in races where the outcome was marked by
life or death of participants, but also to get the first prize. Money, property of
the state devolved, exemption from military service constituted the most
coveted post, even for the young athletes of ancient Greece who participated
in the first Olympics. ? The story goes that the gladiators, before descending
into the arena of the Flavian Amphitheatre, were used to take a drink
prepared with a mixture of sweat of the "colleagues" in meeting the winners
of the previous day and the sand of the "field of play "he had received the
blood of the vanquished. Beyond preparations purely symbolic meanings and
pseudo-magic, among the Romans, and at many other ancient peoples were
widespread practices "doping" may also have some pharmacological
significance. There are reports of preparations made from fermented fruit
with a high alcohol content (to give the athlete euphoria and reduce the fear
of confrontation), food prepared with entrails and testicles of a bull (with
vague meaning anabolic), extracts of passionflower and lime (anxiolytic
effect) and other improbable mixtures with more or less mild
pharmacological effect.
Use of doping in the
modern age
The first documented death of an athlete due
to reckless use of performance-enhancing
drugs dates back to 1896 when the cyclist
Arthur Linton, Bordeaux-Paris during the
race, he suffered a heart attack following an
overdose
of
stimulants.
In the early decades of 1900 was very much
in use, especially among cyclists, the practice
of preparing and consuming, even during the
race itself, the so-called "bombs": true
mixtures composed of associations of
natural or artificial stimulants diluted in water
bottle with wine or water.
A cura di:
Alessandro Baglivi
Danilo De Gaetano