...take performance enhancing drugs despite the risks involved? Abstract Drugs in sport is an ongoing problem which I believe will never be completely abolished from the sporting world. We have definitely come a long way since the early days of drug use with the introduction of governing bodies such ad WADA to help control the testing of athletes and the detection of illegal substances, however I do not think we will be able to completely remove this ’drug culture’ from the sporting world. Therefore having experienced first-hand the drug testing practices involved in detection after competing in the world youth championships this year I was interested to look into the motivation behind athletes who choose to cheat and risk their future career both athletically and their career after retirement having been branded as a 'cheat’ within their sport. I will do this by looking into the history of drug use in sport and the enhancements the drugs provide to performance to try to understand why athletes risk their careers to simply win. Contents | | Abstract | 2 | Introduction | 2 | Drugs in sport; a modern problem? | 3 | Drugs in sport: what are they? * Amphetamines * Anabolic steroids * EPO * Diuretics * Caffeine | 3-6 | Drugs in sport: health risks | 6-7 | Drugs in sport: detection and punishment...
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...Drug use has reached an all-time high in the sports arena. The need to succeed, be among the elite, financial gain, and the pressure to win are some of the many reasons that drugs are found in sports today. Drugs in sports range from therapeutic drugs, performance enhancement drugs, and recreational drugs. Drugs in sports are found on various levels of competition such as: high school, college, and professional sports. High school athletes' are using enhancement drugs so that they may receive a college scholarship, collegiate athletes' are using drugs so that they make it to the professional level, and professional athletes' are using drugs to make sure that they stay among the elite. Drug use in athletics have led to suspensions of players, athletes being banned from that particular sport, and ultimately death. There are many reasons for using drugs in sports, with performance enhancement being one of the top reasons, but no one will ever understand why athletes risk their career and lives. A concern for the public is the fact that athletes assume these risks just to be among the top competitors of sports. Drugs are a danger to the health of athletes. Drug use to enhance performance is unethical, and using drugs is illegal in today's society. Drugs in sports is unethical because the focus of winning and succeeding overshadows the real reasons for playing sports such as the love for a sport, natural talent and ability, and hard work to be among the elite. Athletes are thinking...
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...environment, the use of performance-enhancing drugs has become increasingly common. But using performance-enhancing drugs — aka, doping — isn't without risks. Take the time to learn about the potential benefits, the health risks and the many unknowns regarding so-called performance-enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids, androstenedione, human growth hormone, erythropoietin, diuretics, creatine and stimulants. You may decide that the benefits aren't worth the risks. What is a drug? | A drug is a chemical substance that, when absorbed into the body, can alter normal bodily function. Many drugs have been banned in sport if they are deemed to provide an unfair advantage, pose a health risk, or are seen to violate the ‘spirit of sport’. The use of banned drugs by athletes is referred to as ‘doping’. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), and more recently, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have been leading the way in the battle against drugs in sport. | Why do some athletes use drugs? | Most athletes take drugs to enhance their physical performance in an attempt to prevent them falling behind other competitors, even if it does mean damaging their health and risking their sports careers. Other athletes may use drugs to help them wind down and relax, to cope with the pressures and stress associated with a constant battle to win all the time, to boost their own self-esteem and confidence, to mask the pain of certain sports injuries, to control and reduce weight...
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...Sports and Performance Enhancing Drugs John Alvarez Student #0588681 Essay 2 April 1, 2015 PHI – 010 Professor Andrea Yusim Words: 1,519 In a country that is obsessed with winning and competition, athletes, teams and even fans have tried to gain an advantage against their competition. As athletes become bigger, stronger and faster, the margin and window of opportunity to become the best athlete in their respective sports is surely becoming smaller and smaller. Many people will argue that performance enhancing drugs will help in promoting player health and recovery and that sports in general will benefit overall. In this paper, I will argue that the argument in favor of performance enhancement drug use is not valid because performance enhancing drugs are unethical, create unfair competitive advantages and do not promote the very essence of the value of sports which is hard work and team work. Team and individual sports in the United States is a very important part of culture. Athletes are revered for their prowess and mastery of their respective sports and are at times treated as demi-gods. Individual teams and entire leagues depend on these very athletes to compete at the highest level and with the utmost sense of integrity in order to show that their leagues are played ethically. So not only are athletes expected to be at their very best, they are also expected to do so without compromising the integrity of the sport such as cheating by using PEDs. In the article...
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...Illegal Drug Use in Sports Drug testing in professional sports should be at random times and professional sports leagues should have stricter policies on drug testing. Performance enhancing drugs give professional athletes unfair advantages that are unfair to the athletes who do not use performance enhancing drugs. When athletes use performance enhancing drugs it affects their health and if they are caught when drug tested the athlete can face severe punishments. Consequently, if an athlete is caught using performance enhancing drugs it sends a negative message to young people that often look up to professional athletes. If drug testing was not required in professional sports, some athletes would gain an unfair advantage. Performance enhancing drugs have been used from all the way back to the Greek Olympics through present day. The first drug tests began in February 1968 at the Winter Olympic Games in Grenoble, France. "The IOC instituted its first compulsory doping controls at the Winter Olympic Games in Grenoble, France in 1968 and again at the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City in the same year. At that time the list of banned substances issued in 1967 included narcotic analgesics and stimulants, which comprised sympathomimetic amines, psychomotor stimulants and miscellaneous central nervous system stimulants [including alcohol]. Although it was suspected that androgenic anabolic steroids were being used at this time, testing methods were insufficiently developed to...
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...1. Introduction As the Olympics and other sports events have raised people’s interest, the doping problem in sports has aroused wide attention of the international community. There is an increasing number of unregulated doping events detected in some important international sports events. Most people think performance enhancing drugs should not be allowed in sports; however, actually, doping should be advocated on the basis of safety. In this essay, the reason why athletes dope and why society disapproves of this phenomenon will be explained. Then the situation of the inevitability of doping will be discussed. Finally, the reason why doping should be allowed will be illustrated. 2. Reason of doping and disapproval of society Doping in sports is regarded to be against the rules and the athletes who doping in their competitions are considered that they are cheating. Although there is public opinion in society, some athletes still would like to take risks in doping. Why do athletes determine to dope in sports regardless of all consequences? And why do the society so oppose this phenomenon? 2.1 Reason of doping Athletes, especially elite athletes, desire great perfomance in competition and honor of win. Moreover, once they win the championship, they start to attach to maintain the title and break the record. These benefits and glory make the idea of doping grow in some athletes’ heart. Recently, the whole world was shocked by the news that the most famous cycling champion...
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...performance-enhancing drugs in sport be legalized? By: Evan ENG2D1-02 Performance-enhancing drugs (PED‘s) have become a major issue in today’s sports world. Some people may think that PED’s in sport should be legalized because of the fact that they improve the level of sport and that the harm is worth the fame and glory. The negative factors of legalizing PED’s in sport outweigh the positive factors. Performance-enhancing drugs should not be legalized in sport because they take away from the true origin of sport, taking them can lead to life-threatening health issues, and the athletes who are taking them are setting a bad example for the youth who are the future of sport. Sports were originally designed to test ones ability and talent in a certain area. With the introduction of performance-enhancing drugs in 1936, the true origin of sport has been taken over by men and women who insist on being bigger and stronger than their competitors. Athlete’s who use PED’s are making it unfair to the athletes who work hard, train and push themselves to be the best. With the increasing number of athletes who are taking these drugs, it will start to put pressure on the athletes who are not, making them want to take them. Not to mention taking performance-enhancing drugs is cheating. It is an alternative to working hard and training. The athletes that are abusing PED’s are not playing sports for the competitiveness, health benefits or for the fun of sport, they are playing...
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...Ethical issues regarding the use of Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sports In the history of 20th century sports, specifically in the post World War 2 era, there has been an ever increasing use of performance enhancing drugs in all avenues of sport. Sports have become money making machine for both athletes and big business and the “win at all costs” attitude which has permeated itself into all aspects of professional and college level athletics. Winners make money, losers don’t. The temptation of fame, notoriety and million dollar contracts in all venues of sport is a lure for many athletes. Elite professional athletes are worshiped in today’s society. This paper will elaborate on the use of performance enhancing drugs in the sporting world and the associated sports ethical issues. It is a majority belief in all sporting circles that the “true” spirit of sportsmanship does not allow any aspect of performance enhancing drugs. There are several arguments both in favor and against the use of performance enhancing drugs which will be presented and discussed in this paper. While addressing this ethical issue, we need to define the term ethics. Ethics can be defined as the socially accepted norms and values. These norms and values are varied from society to society and are based on culture and tradition. Ethics also could be defined as the unsaid, un-written and understood laws that prevail in a society. Ethics also cover what is right and what is wrong in society and teaches...
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...Involvement with drugs and athletes is a big step towards future activities. It can cause hazardous predicaments by taking illegal drugs, not following the laws that’s required for an athlete to compete. The drugs that are used by athletes are to be used for considerable reasoning. Instead, it gets used for the wrong reasons. Cheating your way towards a great success, will soon catch up and turn out into a tragedy due to eagerness. Athletes must find a way to abstain from this type of virus. Any and everyone can do this, but it takes time to do so with the certain capabilities that will help. It might appear that drugs are being abused by athletes, but as to them, it is taken as a concise product. By athletes enhancing drugs, risks are being taken. In results, athletes rely on drugs by keep them in the best shape of their lives as well as performing at their best level Testing Drugs on Athletes "Drugs have changed the way athletes perform. It has spread throughout the world in many different ways and is an effect towards the young, as well as the elderly" (Adler, 2009, p.44). Athletes are first tested by giving a urine sample. Athletes must first go through this progress in order for them to proceed. A drug test is an ANALYSIS of specifics through hair, blood, urine, sweat, or saliva. It’s to determine whether or not a person is on drugs. Drug testing is assembled all throughout the world. Discovering drugs on athletes can be critical at times. Any athlete can...
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...Caffeine is a stimulant drug which is the same type of drug as cocaine and meth, substances we think of as hard drugs. Caffeine can cause physical effects as speeding up the heart and breathing, making you feel more alert, and increasing muscle tension. In higher doses, caffeine can cause more significant effects on the heart by changing the speed and regularity of your heartbeat which known as tachycardia or cardiac arrhythmia. Studies have conclusively shown that caffeine consumption raises blood pressure. That’s why across age and gender having hypertension. High coffee consumption has been linked to osteoporosis in men and women. Consumption of soft drinks in children is associated with lower bone mass, although this seems to be at least partially accounted for by those children who drink a lot of soft drinks also having a lower intake of milk. In older women, several studies have shown a link between high caffeine intake and lower bone density. Caffeine may causes difficulty relaxing and calming down yourself which can’t get rest on yourself. Once you get restlessness, you will be nervousness so you will get nervous easily, this is a sense of mental uneasiness. Other than that, caffeine might made you hyper excitement. Although excitement is often a positive experience, but it can be can be awkward in social situation. Caffeine might causes insomnia, but it depends on every human being’s body, some might can sleep after drinking coffee and some can’t get enough sleep...
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...Why are named drugs used in sports? When we exercise, there is an increase in the blood flow which provides the muscles with a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients and all the toxic waste products are removed from the body by this metabolism. There are many instances where an athlete has used a drug to enhance the desired output in an unfair and illegal manner. Such a practice is termed as “doping”. Eventually in the long run, the effect of drug taking leads to other mental disorders and even death. Certain drugs such as psychomotor stimulant drugs include amphetamines (namely, amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methamphetamine) and methylpenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin). The most common name for these drugs is “speed”. Other used names include bennies, dexies, greenies, and pep pills. Amphetamines can be taken orally, but chronic users often inject the drug as it produces a more immediate and stronger effect. The effect of this drugs increase heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. It increases the activity of the central nervous system. These drugs affect the brain making the athlete feel more alert, confident and strong. There are certain drugs which aid in the treatment of various problems in the treatment of hyperactive children. The use of amphetamines is illegal and their use in sports is prohibited. They cause many adverse physical and psychological reactions in sports such as dizziness, insomnia, heart palpitations, sexual impotence, irregular heartbeat and...
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...Sports and Substance Abuse By Amanpreet Sekhon Under the Direction of Natasha Sessoms, MA At Unitek College Introduction Sports are becoming more relevant as a major influence in the life of a human. The relationship between drug abuse in sports and society adds a different perspective on how sports effects individuals, and perhaps even society as a whole. Unfortunately, society seems to view ‘winning’ as something which is more important than the game itself. Success in sports brings fame, popularity, and may even impact scholarships and university entrance for many individuals. The societies’ demands and expectations from sports are rising over time. Society seems to view ‘winning’ as something which is more important than the game itself; consequently, the influence of drugs in competitive sports is becoming more relevant. Overview The urge to win or watch your favorite team win is becoming a societal expectation and norm. Athletes feel that they need to take drugs to help them to perform and win in the respective sport they are competing in. Whether you are watching, playing it, or talking about it, sports are becoming a major entertainment and a major part of the life of a human. Data from Lloyd D. Johnston (May 2007), reveals that 2.7% of twelfth graders utilized steroids, while 1.8% and 1.6% for the tenth and eighth graders respectively. Youths can easily be influenced into using steroids from peer pressure or the need...
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...Darius Crane Dr. Byron Stay Mount Writing Seminar March 6, 2012 Should There be Stricter Regulations for Drug Use In Professional Sports? Major sports leagues have a serious problem, which are performance enhancing drugs. Performance enhancing drugs seem to find their way into just about any major sporting event or organization. Even though there are penalties for those caught using performance enhancing drugs, they still seem to be prevalent among some of the biggest names in sports competition. A big reason for this is that the punishment given to those caught cheating does not have the punitive ramifications for possession or using a controlled substance that society expects. Even as advanced as the testing is for these substances, the guilty athletes are given the chance to prove that the test result was a mistake on the part of the laboratory conducting the testing, the fault of their trainer, or an over the counter supplement from a local health food store. Performance enhancing drugs are having a negative impact on all sports, and because of this, it will effect how future athletes conduct themselves. Most athletes will say that the drive to win is the reason that they use performance enhancing drugs. They feel that they are leveling an uneven playing field because no athlete today makes it on talent alone. They have to be on something. With the window of opportunity being so small and several trying to get through it, many athletes...
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...Athletes enhancing their performance are common in sports today. Headlines seem to pop up every month about athletes doping across various sports. Through the use of injections or pills, the use of drugs in sports goes back almost to the invention of the concept of sports. Sports like wrestling, soccer, American football and cycling are among the many sports that are influenced by doping. These performance enhancing drugs make the body produce more red blood cells and only last for a short period of time, contrasting to the regular steroid. These drugs allow the athlete to obtain more oxygen into their system – enhancing their performance for a few hours before returning to their normal state. More and more athletes are doping, with Lance Armstrong...
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... but also future generations. In sports, one must have discipline, a strong work ethic and the unceasing desire to succeed. These are the values and morals that famous athletes bestow on children and young adults that give them the opportunity to become exemplary role models. But all of this can be completely erased if that athlete so much as humors the assistance from performance enhancing drugs. Steroids cause some of the most elite athletes on the planet to become shunned by the organization for whom they played and the fans that they disappointed. 4 in 10 teenage steroid users credit their knowledge of and use of the drugs to a famous athlete, which is why it is so critical to inform people of the danger that come with steroids and the numerous reputations they have shattered. It is my goal throughout this speech to not only enlighten you as to what steroids are and why they are such a problem, but also urge you to never let the use of these deadly drugs cross your mind. Listen well, because it is your right to be informed about a problem so common in people our age. Anabolic steroids is the familiar name for synthetic variants of the male sex hormone testosterone . steroids can be legally prescribed to treat conditions resulting from steroid hormone deficiency, such as delayed puberty, as well as diseases that result in loss of lean muscle mass, such as cancer and AIDS. But some athletes and bodybuilders abuse these drugs in an attempt to enhance performance and/or improve their physical appearance...
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