The problem of doping in sports<\/p>\n
By Hario Tilarso<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The word \"doping\" is very well-known in the
\nsporting community.<\/p>\n
Doping is an effort to improve performance with chemical
\nsubstances or techniques prohibited by the International Olympic
\nCommittee. Athletes who use drugs are taking unfair shortcuts to
\nimprove their ability. Doping is contrary to the belief that high
\nperformance should be obtained through rigid, systematic
\ntraining. It is clear that doping is cheating, and therefore
\nunethical.<\/p>\n
Doping was practiced as long ago as ancient Greek times. In
\nthe 3rd century B.C, during the original Olympic Games, it was
\nwell noted that some athletes consumed special drinks and foods
\nbelieved to improve their performance.<\/p>\n
In Central and South America, native Indians took certain
\nherbs to improve performance while hunting and fighting. In
\nEurope, the use of caffeine has long been popular as a doping
\ntechnique.<\/p>\n
The first doping case in sport history was in a chariot race,
\nthe subject involved was the horse, not the driver. People noted
\nthat doping animals was successful, so they began to give the
\ndrugs to athletes. Cycling, weight lifting and body-building --
\nthe sports that require explosive power -- are the types of
\nsports in which doping is frequent. Endurance sports such as
\nmarathon and triathlon are also prone.<\/p>\n
Athletes may turn to drugs when aiming to break a record, when
\nthey have an overwhelming desire to win or be famous. Craving to
\nland a lucrative contract or to overcome a nagging injury are
\nother common reasons.<\/p>\n
Many athletes will do anything, at any cost, to get the \"magic
\nformula\" to boost performance, even though most of them know the
\ndanger of the drugs. They willingly take the risk. Doping became
\nvery prominent in the world after it claimed victims.<\/p>\n
Drinks<\/p>\n
At first, stimulants in the form of drinks were the most
\ncommon. The drinks contained caffeine, honey, alcohol and
\ncocaine. Until the 1970s, the most popular were amphetamines, a
\ncentral nervous system stimulant. Now, anabolic steroids, male
\nhormone substances that improve muscle mass, is the most common.<\/p>\n
The Olympic committee announced its list of prohibited drugs
\nin 1968. The list contained stimulants, narcotics, anabolic
\nsteroids, diuretics, betta blockers and some new substances such
\nas growth hormones and EPO.<\/p>\n
The committee also regards other efforts to alter the
\nphysiological system as doping. Blood doping, a form of doping by
\ningestion of one's own blood after it is taken from the body, is
\nvery common. It is also called reinfusion, and is aimed at
\nboosting blood volume and concentration so it can hold more
\noxygen. This technique leaves no trace in the urine. It is
\ndangerous because it overloads the circulation system.<\/p>\n
Anabolic steroids have been the most widely used drugs
\nbecause they can enlarge the muscles -- supposedly increasing
\nstrength and power. According to some doping experts this is not
\ntrue, because the muscle enlargement is due mainly to water
\nretention, not fiber enlargement.<\/p>\n
Anabolic steroids can also cause some serious side effects:
\nenlargement or destruction of the liver; premature closing of the
\nbone-growing plate, so the athlete will not grow anymore;
\nosteoporosis of the bone, because calcium is not deposited
\nproperly in the bone; weakness of the ligaments and tendons; and
\ndecreased sperm formation.<\/p>\n
But athletes still take drugs, because they believe in the
\neffects and ignore the side effects. Sprinters, body-builders,
\nlifters, shot-putters are included in the regular users of
\nanabolic steroids.<\/p>\n
Unlike stimulants, which are consumed shortly before
\ncompetition, anabolic steroids must be \"programmed\" early in the
\ntraining regime. If the athlete stops taking the drug one month
\nbefore the competition, there may be no trace in the urine when
\ntested. But the speed of excretion is different for each
\nindividual.<\/p>\n
The most recent case of doping was the 11 Chinese athletes at
\nthe Hiroshima Asian-Games. Their urine tested positive for
\ntestosterone, a male hormone substance. Seven of the athletes
\nwere swimmers, who established records, including a world record.
\nThe finding strengthened the belief among western officials that
\nthe Chinese use steroids and other wonder drugs.<\/p>\n
Dangerous<\/p>\n
Sports these days are very tough, and drive athletes to try
\nanything to improve their physical ability. Doping can be
\nminimized by educating athletes, as well as coaches and managers,
\nthat doping endangers their health and unfair to other athletes.<\/p>\n
The International Olympic Committee has also imposed heavier
\nsanctions to stop athletes from resorting to doping. They have a
\ntendency to impose a lifetime ban even for the first offense. It
\nused to only be a two-year suspension.<\/p>\n
Whatever the punishment, athletes must understand the dangers
\nof doping.<\/p>\n
Hario Tilarso is a physician specializing in sports medicine
\nand a member of the board of executives of the Indonesian Amateur
\nCycling Association (ISSI).<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-problem-of-doping-in-sports-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}