Drugs, Athletes, and Physical Performance

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Medical, Specialties, Internal Medicine, Endocrinology & Metabolism, General
Cover of the book Drugs, Athletes, and Physical Performance by , Springer US
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781468454994
Publisher: Springer US Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781468454994
Publisher: Springer US
Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

The use of performance-enhancing substances by athletes is not a contemporary epi­ demic. In fact, athletes purportedly resorted to such measures over 2000 years ago. Even at the ancient olympic games, athletes employed special diets and concoctions to enhance their performance. In ancient Rome and ancient Egypt, gladiators and athletes ingested various potions in order to improve their physical endurance. In most in­ stances, such early examples of substance abuse by athletes involved relatively in­ nocuous chemicals, and one might presume that any enhanced performance could be attributed largely to a placebo effect. Nowadays, aside from the ethical issues, these performance-enhancing substances are far more potent and hence toxic to the body. The many performance-enhancing chemicals, drugs, and hormones exert a variety of complex pharmacological actions, but all are meant in some fashion to improve phys­ ical ability. Their pharmacological effects ranges from imprOVed muscle strength, as in the case of anabolic steroids and growth hormone, to central nervous system stimula­ tion, as in the case of caffeine or amphetamine. Analgesics or other pain-killing drugs may also be used to suppress an existing injury in order that the athlete may compete.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The use of performance-enhancing substances by athletes is not a contemporary epi­ demic. In fact, athletes purportedly resorted to such measures over 2000 years ago. Even at the ancient olympic games, athletes employed special diets and concoctions to enhance their performance. In ancient Rome and ancient Egypt, gladiators and athletes ingested various potions in order to improve their physical endurance. In most in­ stances, such early examples of substance abuse by athletes involved relatively in­ nocuous chemicals, and one might presume that any enhanced performance could be attributed largely to a placebo effect. Nowadays, aside from the ethical issues, these performance-enhancing substances are far more potent and hence toxic to the body. The many performance-enhancing chemicals, drugs, and hormones exert a variety of complex pharmacological actions, but all are meant in some fashion to improve phys­ ical ability. Their pharmacological effects ranges from imprOVed muscle strength, as in the case of anabolic steroids and growth hormone, to central nervous system stimula­ tion, as in the case of caffeine or amphetamine. Analgesics or other pain-killing drugs may also be used to suppress an existing injury in order that the athlete may compete.

More books from Springer US

Cover of the book The Sea of Galilee Boat by
Cover of the book Nursing Research by
Cover of the book Microbial Technologies in Advanced Biofuels Production by
Cover of the book Haemophilus, Actinobacillus, and Pasteurella by
Cover of the book The Success Syndrome by
Cover of the book Entrepreneurship and Economic Transition in Central Europe by
Cover of the book Supply Chain Engineering by
Cover of the book Foundations of Network Optimization and Games by
Cover of the book Pain & Passion by
Cover of the book Architecture and Design of Distributed Embedded Systems by
Cover of the book Genomic Instability and Immortality in Cancer by
Cover of the book Broadband Infrastructure by
Cover of the book Regulation of Gene Expression by Hormones by
Cover of the book Identifying, Assessing, and Treating Dyslexia at School by
Cover of the book Teaching Students in Clinical Settings by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy