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Performance-enhancing substances: from blood boosters to steroids
What they are, how they are taken, how they are tested and the next big thing: gene doping
Main categories of banned substances:
1) BLOOD BOOSTERS
Examples Erythropoietin (EPO – a hormone produced by kidneys to regulate production of red blood cells), blood transfusions, synthetic oxygen carriers
Most common form taken Injections into fat, muscle or blood
Effects Boosts red blood cell count, which enhances capacity of blood to carry oxygen – ideal for endurance competitors
Time in system 12 hours to two weeks, depending on type used
Susceptibility to testing Urine and blood tests and Athlete Biological Passports (ABP) catch use of blood boosters but micro-dose technique harder to detect
Guilty David Millar Cycling 2004 EPO Tyler Hamilton Cycling 2004 Transfusions
Sports suited to Endurance events such as swimming, cycling and skiing
Try to beat the system by Micro-dosing injections into veins (although ABP can detect signs). Drinking water to dilute red blood cell count. Using masking agents. Planning timing of usage to minimise testing risk (eg administer at night, out of season, at remote locations)
2) ANABOLIC STEROIDS
Examples Nandrolone, tetrahydrogestrinone – THG ('The Clear'), testosterone, other anabolic agents such as clenbuterol
Most common form taken Oral, topical (ie ointment), injection
Effects Increases muscle size, strength and power as it mimics effects of testosterone in the body
Time in system One day to three months
Susceptibility to testing Caught by urine steroid profiling and ABP
Guilty Dwain Chambers Athletics 2003 THG Alberto Contador Cycling 2010 Clenbuterol
Sports suited to Anything power or strength based
Try to beat the system by Using new, untested steroids currently undetectable by scientists. Low doses and masking agents
3) HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE
What is it? HGH is a peptide hormone produced naturally in the body by the pituitary gland to promote muscle growth
Most common form taken Injections
Effects Stimulates muscle and tissue growth. Improves recovery times
Time in system Several days to several weeks
Susceptibility to testing New biomarker test introduced in 2012
Guilty Terry Newton Rugby league 2010
Sports suited to Power and strength events such as rugby and weightlifting
Try to beat the system by Taking low doses and planning carefully when to take
4) MASKING AGENTS
Examples Diuretics, plasma expanders, weight-loss pills
Most common form taken Tablets and powders
Effects Masking agents conceal presence of banned substances, for example by accelerating urine production to flush drugs out of the body or, in the case of plasma expanders, elevating plasma ratios to balance increased red blood cell counts caused by use of blood boosters. Diuretics can be used as a masking agent and can also help athletes to lose weight quickly, useful in weight category sports
Time in system One day to one week
Susceptibility to testing Caught by urine tests
Guilty Steve Mullings Athletics 2011
Sports suited to All
Try to beat the system by Using masking agents with the shortest half-lives. Planning timing of dosage
5) GENE DOPING
What is it? The next big thing, if fears of anti-doping scientists are to be believed. Involves the manipulation of genes to enhance performance. Currently impossible to test for, but Wada says it is close to finalising a new test, and ABP could also show signs of gene manipulation.