Drug and lifestyle issues
Drug use
In the 1960s several cyclists died in amphetamine-related incidents, and the International Olympic Committee set up a special unit to eradicate drug use in sports. Testing for drugs was first introduced at the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968, and steroid detection was first implemented during the Montreal Games in 1976.
Currently, the list of banned drugs includes stimulants, narcotics, anabolic steroids, beta-blockers, diuretics and peptide hormones. Drugs that remain under restriction include alcohol, marijuana, local anaesthetics and corticosteroids.
Officially, about two per cent of urine samples tested prove positive for drugs. This is thought to be an underestimate of the true prevalence, which may be as high as 20 per cent for the most popular drugs, amphetamines and steroids.
Certain drugs used for common ailments may actually be banned for competitive sport. For full details contact Sport England, 16 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0QP (see page 95).
Anabolic steroids are drugs that increase muscle strength and lessen fatigue, and it is tempting to try them for competition. Apart from the risk of getting yourself banned, all drugs have potentially serious side effects and anabolic steroids are no different. In certain circumstances they can cause stunting of growth, changes in sexual function, breast development in men, acne and changes in the liver.
Full details of ergogenic aids and blood doping can be obtained from the Sports Council.
Other lifestyle issues
Coffee and tea
Some athletes believe that caffeine drinks can stimulate the cardiovascular system for a better result. Although there are theoretical benefits, no study has ever shown this to be true. Rather, the training effect of a lower heart rate is abolished by caffeine. Caffeine is also found in soft drinks such as cola and Lucozade. Most sports doctors advise moderation with caffeine.
Sleep
This is when your body repairs whatever damage it sustains during training, and recharges its energy stores, so it’s vital to get enough while you’re training if you are to do your best. On the other hand, if you are sleepless the night before a big race, resist the temptation to try artificial means of inducing sleep (such as pills and alcohol) as these will affect your performance the next day more than a sleepless night.
Smoking
Smoking has a significant effect on lung function and ventilation because it causes an increase in airway resistance. Immediately after smoking a cigarette this increased airway resistance can last for up to 80 minutes. Regular smoking also has other effects such as impairment of the lungs’ capacity to absorb oxygen. This applies to passive smokers as well.
It is not easy to stop smoking but it can be done. You can get useful advice in the Health Education Council booklet – Smokers’ Guide to Non Smoking – which should be available free from your health centre or doctor’s surgery.
Minor illnesses
Everyone gets colds, with a runny nose or flu-like symptoms from time to time. When this happens, you need to reduce your training intensity or stop completely until you recover. Minor viral illnesses of this kind can cause inflammation of the membrane covering the heart which can trigger abnormal heart rhythms, especially during exercise. Sudden death in young people has occasionally been found to be caused by this condition. The viruses that produce minor respiratory symptoms may lead to inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or its lining (pericarditis).
Sex
There are many views as to whether you should abstain from sexual intercourse before physical activity. Some top athletes boast that they compete far better after intercourse and there are certainly no rules regarding this. Probably the most important thing is not to stay out very late at night before a competition the next day.
