Drugs and sport. Research findings and limitations

摘要: Many types of drugs are used by athletes to improve performance. This paper reviews the literature on 3 categories drugs: those that enhance performance as stimulants (amphetamines, ephedrine, and cocaine), reduce tremor heart rate (beta-blockers) involved in bodyweight gain or loss (anabolic-androgenic steroids, growth hormone, beta 2-agonists, diuretics). Limitations research these they relate enhancement also discussed. The numerous studies have assessed effects amphetamines report equivocal results. may be due large interindividual variability response drug small sample sizes used. Most studies, however, show some individuals do exercise when taking amphetamines, which attributed their role masking fatigue. As a stimulant, ephedrine has not been found few available. More recently, purported effective fat burner maintain muscle mass. Although with obesity supports use for loss, no done athletes. cocaine suggest little gains incurred from use. Moreover, sense euphoria provide illusion better when, actuality, was improved impaired. beta-Blockers sports physiologically challenging but require accuracy (e.g. pistol shooting). However, there is evidence high responders beta-blockers extent so blunted impair equivocal, several reported anabolic-androgenic steroids increase size strength. most well controlled insufficient doses. One recent study did find an mass strength supraphysiological doses, improvements were greater participants who resistance training. There information available hormone athletes, although data administration does protein synthesis. 2-Agonists, such clenbuterol salbutamol, administered orally appear muscular potential increasing using Diuretics results body water hence can advantageous strict classifications. possible decrements field could result dehydration induced diuretics. Overall, significant concern inter-individual responses drug. Further needed understand why more responsive than others assess whether consistent given individual. effectiveness many reduced highly trained because lower margin improvement.