Question

make a list of ergogenic aids that should be allowed for use by athletes and a list of those that should not be allowed and why and why not one should use it or not use it in a paragrah form.

Answer 1

Ans) Athletes of all levels and ages use ergogenic aids.

▪ The majority of ergogenic aids have been poorly researched or have not been shown to produce the advertised results. However, a few do have some ergogenic potential in certain individuals.

▪ The Dietary and Supplement Health Education Act puts the onus on the Food and Drug Administration to prove that supplements are harmful. The manufacturers can produce and advertise the product as long as they do not state that it is for medicinal use.

▪ Anabolic steroids and ephedrine are two ergogenic aids that have been studied extensively and that have definite adverse effects.

▪ The use of ergogenic aids is associated with high-risk behavior and should be screened for during the preparticipation examination.

- Ergogenic aids are mechanical, nutritional, pharmacological, physiological and psychological tools that athletes use to increase energy, performance and recovery.

- Commonly used ergogenic aids include dried adrenal glands, amino acids, bee pollen, caffeine, carnitine, chromium, creatine, ginseng, glucosamine and protein powders. Side effects from high doses may include allergic reactions, central nervous system and gastrointestinal disorders, and kidney damage.

- Anabolic steroids, androstenedione (andro) and DHEA, beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and human growth hormone (HGH) may cause significant side effects, and, in some cases, death. The International Olympic Committee has banned androstenedione and human growth hormone, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has banned caffeine at the 600-milligram level (six to eight 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee daily).

- Consistent sport-specific training; well-designed sport-specific diets supported by adequate fluids, vitamin and mineral supplements; and rest are still the safest strategies for sports performance. The field of sports nutrition is growing to address these and other strategies. But so are ergogenic aids, especially through the Internet.