Mechanisms

Written by Sarah Hobart

There are a plethora of performance enhancing drugs that work through many different pathways. Most performance enhancers work through the male hormone, testosterone. Normal males produce between 2-10 milligrams per day (Moitra 2004). The masculinization characteristics testosterone produces are called the androgenic effects (Melfa 2000). Testosterone is responsible for the development of secondary sex characteristics in males, such as the deepening of the voice, facial hair, sexual behavior, and the development of the sperm. The anabolic effects, or growing or rebuilding effects, of testosterone are responsible for protein biosynthesis. This function is important in the development of muscle, recovery from workouts, and the formation of red blood cells (Testosterone 2004). Steroids also aid in nitrogen retention. In order for muscle mass to increase, the body must have more nitrogen coming into the body, than exiting. With steroids, this balance is possible; therefore muscle mass gains are quicker and easier (Moitra 2004).

Stimulants are another popular performance enhancer, notoriously used within the cycling community. They are responsible for the death of more than one cyclist, including Kurt Jensen, during the 1960 Olympics. Stimulants serve to improve recovery, endurance, alertness, and the building of muscle mass. They act via the central nervous system, influencing both the mental and physical capabilities of an athlete. Some examples include amphetamines, ephedrine, and methamphetamine, also known as speed (CBC Sports 2004).

Another prevalent class of steroids is the peptide hormones, including erythropoietin (EPO), human growth hormone (hGH), and insulin. These work by increasing a hormone’s concentration in the body, thereby boosting particular physiological functions, and suppressing others. EPO for instance, works by increasing the blood’s capability of delivering oxygen, thereby significantly increasing an athlete’s endurance. Its use was widely recognized during the 1998 Tour de France, tarnishing reputation of the entire race (CBC Sports 2004).

Narcotic analgesics and corticosteroids are used clinically as anti-inflammatories and pain relievers. Their use can mask pain, and has the potential to be extremely dangerous if an athlete were to play through a debilitating injury. Morphine, for example, can allow an athlete to train harder and longer, thus giving that athlete an unfair advantage (CBC Sports 2004).

In addition, beta-2 antagonists are commonly used in the treatment of such respiratory disorders as asthma. However, if abused, they can act as stimulants and can have anabolic effects when administered directly into the bloodstream (CBC Sports 2004).

Lastly, masking agents work usually by diluting urine. If drug testing is done through urinalysis, which frequently happens, then the drug can either be missed because it is in such small quantities or the ratio of drug present too small to be categorized as a positive test. Many of these performance-enhancing drugs are synthetic derivatives of what is naturally found in the body. Often times, limits have to be set for determining whether “normal” amounts of a substance are present, or if a substance is being used and abused (CBC Sports 2004).

There are many different agents that work through a variety of mechanisms. Many of the most effective and most prevalent drugs also are synthetic derivatives of what is naturally found in the body, thereby using the same pathway. It is the overuse of these pathways that causes such advantages in functioning.

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