History
Ergogenic aids are dated back to around 100 years ago. Warriors and athletes during the early period used food items like the lion’s heart and the deer liver to effect their speed, strength and bravery during games, battles and even hunting. Over the years Ergogenic aids have been widely used especially by amateur and professional athletes. Gaining a competitive advantage over one’s competitors is a known phenomenon in the sports world. Most athletes have been dropped out of important races due to ergogenic aids use in order to enhance their performance.
Ergogenic aids are substances or treatments that directly enhance the physical performance of athletes (Mackenzie, 2001). They increase a person’s performance of high intensity exercises. Many athletes have opted to use ergogenic aids so as to achieve an edge to their opportunity. They use them to increase their energy production in order to improve their performance and beat their competitors in the races. This paper will discuss the statistics, categories of ergogenic aids, pros and cons and lastly, the future of ergogenic aids.
Statistics
A study done by Powers (2009) in the year 2000 indicated that 46% of athletes use dietary supplements. It was reported that, women use these supplements more than men and they are commonly used by elite athletes. A further study by the same researchers showed that, 100 percent of body builders’ use ergogenic aids to help their looks and also to improve their performance. The research was done on 198 athletes and out of the 198 athletes; it was proven that 195 athletes would opt to use illegal drugs in order to outperform their competitors as long as they are not caught. This statistics proves that, ergogenic aids are commonly used worldwide by most athletes.
The International Olympic Committee has banned a number of substances and doping methods but some are still acceptable by the sports governing bodies. The IOC claims that, the use of ergogenic aids to enhance an athlete’s performance is unfair to those athletes who do not use them and furthermore, it puts the athletes’ health at risk. However, the banned substances are listed on the Drug Information Database and its every athlete’s responsibility to check them out and avoid being kicked out of races.
Categories of Ergogenic aids
There is an increase in the use of ergogenic aids by athletes and they are of different types. Ergogenic aids fall into different categories which are; pharmacological ergogenic aids, physiological aids, mechanical aids, psychological aids and nutritional ergogenic aids.
Pharmacological aids
Pharmacological aids are the most beneficial ergogenic aids to athletes. They are legal and easily available over the counter but one has to be very careful with their use in order to avoid possible harmful effects. They include; caffeine, protein supplements, amphetamine, androstenedione, anabolic asteroid, beta blocker, creatine, monohydrate, carnitine, clenbuterol and phosphatidylserine. The most commonly used among the above list are caffeine, anabolic steroids and protein supplements. Caffeine is found in drinks, pills and foods. They are the most widely used drugs in the world today. This is because caffeine is affordable, socially acceptable and medically safe. It acts as a stimulant and as a relaxant. Research done on caffeine indicates that, it is an effective and safe ergogenic aid that can be used by athletes. It increases endurance in aerobic performances and muscle strength. Caffeine has been proven to increase muscles contractility (Elsass, 2010).
Another type of pharmacological ergogenic aid is anabolic steroids. These are steroids that are relative to testosterone levels. They help increase the muscle mass in an athlete. Moreover, anabolic steroids help in enhancing protein synthesis and inhibiting protein degradation since they affect the activation rate of enzyme systems. Anabolic steroids cause steroid rush that helps decrease tiredness in athlete during training and performance thus improving their performance.
Protein Supplements are also a type of pharmacological ergogenic aid given to athletes. Our bodies produce adequate amounts of proteins. Athletes need to get good and sufficient amounts of protein so as to function well. Protein supplements help in muscles repair. Athletes should weigh the amounts of protein supplement intakes in order to avoid its adverse effects.
Physiological Ergogenic Aids
Physiological ergogenic aids are aids designed to relax and stretch the body. Most athletes use them to overcome body limitations and to excel in their races. They help to counter stress and relax the body. They comprise of; creatine, blood doping, acupuncture, human growth hormone, physiotherapy. Human growth hormones are naturally produced in the body by the pituitary gland. The hormones flow through the blood stream making the body to function properly. They help increase body heights and muscle mass in an athlete (Bizley, 1994). In addition, the human growth hormone increases fat metabolism and they have an anabolic effect on the muscle growth. Even though the human growth hormones are naturally produced, there are times one needs more of them and they can be found in food supplements. They can be prescribed by a doctor for growth deficiencies. It has been argued that they help improve the memory, vision and reduces fats in the body. However, the human growth hormones supplements have been declared illegal and have been banned for athletes’ use. This is because it is asserted that they are usually used for wrong purposes which later pose health risks to the users. They have adverse effects like joint pains, breast enlargement for men, diabetes and soft tissue swellings for the users.
Creatine is another type of physiological ergogenic aid mainly used by athletes. Creatine is amino-acids naturally produced by the body. Creatine is synthesized from amino-acids produced in the liver, kidneys and the pancreas. Apart from the naturally produced creatine, there are also supplements that provide these ergogenic aids and they are commonly used by athletes since they are legal.These dietary supplements are popularly used and can be consumed in red meat and fish.
Another physiological ergogenic aid is blood doping. It refers to the transfer of red blood cells from a donor to the athlete to increase their performance and oxygen levels. This infusion has been replaced by a drug called Erythropoietin or EPO that athletes can take instead of blood transfusion. This is because through the infusion process, the athletes’ health was at risk due to the risk infections.
Nutritional Ergogenic Aids
Nutritional ergogenic aids are food and drink substances which are legally used to enhance an athlete’s performance. Many athletes use them to enhance their performance. The most commonly used nutritional ergogenic aids are caffeine, creatine, sport drinks, carbohydrates, fats, protein and carnitine. They are divided into three categories; products that enhance energy production which improves the speed and strength of an athlete mainly carbohydrates, fats and proteins not forgetting minerals. The second category is products that enhance an athlete’s performance bychanging their body composition which are protein and chromium. Lastly are products that enhance quick recovery mainly vitamins, fluids and herbal products.
Carnitine is the common used ergogenic aid by athletes for physical improvement.A study done on carnitine indicates that, carnitine supplements increases weight loss and decreases muscle pains (Mackenzie, 2001). Furthermore, it helps in cardiovascular functioning and strength. The kidney and the liver produceenough amino acids that are sufficient for the body for its daily use and therefore, it is not advisable to consume lots of carnitine food supplements. Carnitine increases fat metabolism in the body.
Carbohydrates and sport drinks are the biggest source of energy in our bodies. Carbohydrates give athletes energy to perform and during training and this improve their performance. Ergogenic sport drinks are supplements that increase and improve their performance of an athlete. They include poerade, gutorade and vitamin water. They contain carbohydrates and electrolytes which help to maintain the body energy and power during training and performance of an athlete. They help prevent dehydration.
Psychological Ergogenic Aids
Psychological aids are ergogenic aids that are used to prepare an athlete mentally and psychologically in order to stay focused during their performances.With psychological ergogenic aids, one focuses on the 4’cs which are; concentration, confidence, control and commitment. When an athlete puts all the 4c’s in mind, they excel. They are activities and not supplements which are done to alert an athlete’s mind. They include; music, hypnosis, meditation, psychology and relaxation. Most psychological ergogenic aids are very effective and safe. Moreover, they are easily available and are asubstitute to drug supplements.
Music propels an athlete through a work out and motivates them as they train and perform. Many athletes get distracted and even lose track but with good music in the background, they are able to concentrate and win their races. Music enhances and increases the performance of athletes.Warm ups are used as ergogenic aids. These are exercises performed prior to performance in a race. They help an athlete to relax their mind and focus on the race ahead of them. Additionally warm ups increases elasticity in muscles and body metabolism and it is advisable that all athletes do warm-ups immediately before their races.
Pros and Cons of using Ergogenic aids
There are many studies done to determine the advantages and disadvantages of the use of ergogenic aids. There are a number of benefits on using certain types of ergogenic aids. The main benefit is that it increases an athlete’s performance. Ergogenic aids helps burn the fats in an athlete’s body and protects the carbohydrate stores in the body because an athlete needs lots of energy during their performance. In addition, ergogenic aids boosts an athlete’s immune system because of the exercises and the increased fat metabolism. Likewise they help decrease anxiety, enhance quick recovery, decreases fatigue and increase the lean mass. It is also argued that ergogenic aids helps build confidence and enhances an athlete’s self-esteem. Ergonenic aids helps athletes recover their speed and focus on their races without any distractions.
On the other hand, before one decides to use ergogenic aids and supplements, it is advisable to know the consequences of their use and the right amounts that are to be consumed. This is because; some ergogenic acids can be very harmful to an athlete’s body and can even shutter their dreams of becoming the best. Other side effects of ergogenic aids are anxiety, euphoria, personality disorders, fatigue, aggressiveness, and sexual effects and reverse side effects (Ahrendt, 2001). Moreover, ergogenic aids can cause change in an athlete’s physical attributes, deepened voice and even infertility to the users. Many athletes become very aggressive after using the ergogenic aids and this affects their career as they can end up even beating up their competitors. Ergogenic aids can lead to an increased heart rate and blood pressure in athletes if they consume them for a longer period and in big amounts. In addition, these aids can lead to disease transmissions in athletes who share needles while injecting themselves with the steroids. Therefore, an athlete has to put in mind that as much as the ergogenic aids help them improve their performance, they can also shutter their dreams in the sports world with their side effects.
Future of Ergogenic aids
There are many studies that have been done on ergogenic aids to determine their use. New methods are being discovered in the market to replace the old ones in order to maintain the young athletes’ vitality and energy. There are so many products in the market and this has called for the introduction of new products which are tested before they are recommended for athletes use. Every athlete or individual using ergogenic aids should take the responsibility to know the kinds of supplements they are using including their pros and cons before they get attached to the product. However, it is advisable that in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, one has to take a balanced diet and lots of exercises (Grivetti, 1997). When one does this, there will be no need of using ergogenic aids which poses adverse health risks on the users. Thorough study should be done on ergogenic aids so as to determine the best products to be used in the markets that are not harmful to the body. Furthermore, a clear indication should be given if they do really work or not since most of the ergogenic aids credibility is doubtable.
In conclusion, ergogenic aids are food substances/supplements that enhance an athletes’ performance. They have been commonly used over the years by many athletes despite being reported to have adverse side effects. The statistics prove that, many athletes use them to improve their performance. There are different types of ergogenic aids including nutritional, psychological, physiological, mechanical and pharmacological.Ergogenic aids have both advantages and disadvantages. The main advantages are that they are designed to improve the performance of an athlete, reduce fatigue and increase their speed and endurance during their performance. The main disadvantage is that they can have adverse effects on an athlete to an extent of shuttering their dreams. Besides they can cause serious chronic illnesses to an athlete including stroke/heart disease.They can cause personality disorders, blood pressure and even heart problems.
A further study needs to be done on ergogenic aids so as to prevent the health risks they pose on the lives of the people who use them. There are many new products in the markets that are being tested so as to determine if they are good for athletes use. Athletes need to be sure before using any ergogenic aids since it is their health that is at stake here.
References
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