MOHD. NUR IKHWAN BIN MUHD. NASIR

2002174510

 WHAT ARE THEY?

            Ergogenic aids are substances, devices, or practices that enhance an individual's energy use, production, or recovery.  The form an ergogenic aid may take can be quite varied.  Stretching and weight training are physical ergogenic aids.  Visualization and hypnosis are mental ergogenic aids.  Lighter weight running shoes and better designed golf clubs are mechanical ergogenic aids.  But perhaps the most commonly recognized form of ergogenic aids is the dietary supplement.

 CLASSIFICATION OF ERGOGENIC AIDS

• Nutritional aids

• Pharmacological aids

• Physiological aids

• Psychological aids

• Mechanical or biomechanical aids.

 WHO USES THEM?

        The availability and use of supplements as ergogenic aids have risen dramatically in the past decade.  Surveys indicate that approximately 50% of the general population, 76% of college athletes, and 100% of bodybuilders take supplements.  New products appear on the market every week.

ARE THEY SAFE?

        Being labeled as a "supplement" means that the contents of the product and the claims put forth on the label have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration.  The FDA inspects food and drug products to insure safety and truthful content before they can be marketed to the public.  Anything labeled as a "supplement" can be marketed as such without prior FDA approval as provided for under the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act of 1994.  This should be a concern for anyone thinking about taking dietary supplements, as the burden of evaluating any claims made on the label by a manufacturer now falls on the consumer.  Many such claims include a statement either that the FDA has not evaluated the claim or that the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease" a type of claim that can only legally be made by a drug).

WHAT CAN I DO?

If you decide to take a supplement, there are many ways to go about evaluating its safety and efficacy:

• Ask a health care professional who is knowledgeable about nutrition and supplements.

• Do a literature search, being wary of articles or publications funded by the manufacturer of the supplement.

• Determine the reputability of the manufacturer.  Have they been in business for a long time?  Do they have quality control standards?  Do they publish their research?

• Note any side effects associated with the supplement.

• Is the proposed benefit worth the cost or risk?

• Are there any illegal or banned substances contained within the supplement?

• Will the supplement interfere with or otherwise affect any medications or other supplements you may be taking?

 PHARMACOLOGICAL ERGOGENIC AIDS (DRUGS)

Pharmacological Sports Aids

Pharmacological aids have raised the most concern among athletic governing bodies.

Doping or the use of drugs by athletes in an attempt to improve performance has persisted for nearly a century.

Although some drugs may be effective sports ergogenic aids, their use may also significantly increase health risks.

 The medical committee of the IOC notes that doping violates the ethics of both sport and medical science and is prohibited.

TYPE PHARMACOLOGICAL ERGOGENIC AIDS

v     caffeine

v     ephedrine or MaHuang

v     anabolic steroids

 FOR WHAT?

    The classic pharmacological ergogenic aids are the anabolic steroids which are designed to increase muscle mass, strength and give enhanced physical performance. Recently, famed home run hitter Mark McGuire's admission

TYPE OF SPORTS THAT US PHARMACOLOGICAL ERGOGENIC AIDS

     In some sports, such as pistol shooting and archery, substances are used to decrease heart rate and blood pressures are useful. Pilots may consider using sedative medications to enhance sleep if flying on the back side of the clock or through multiple time zones.

Here is a quick roundup of some of the most popular supplemental ergogenic aids:

 PREVENTED

In general, adolescents are open to the possibility of using ergogenic aids that propose to improve appearance and performance but lack knowledge about their potential risks. Altering this behavior that is perceived as beneficial is extremely difficult Nevertheless, health professionals need to address ergogenic aid use in children and adolescents. Screening and assessment can occur during health supervision visits or sports preparticipation physical examinations.

Health professionals need basic knowledge of ergogenic aids commonly used by children and adolescents. This information may be found in several recently published reviews. lists some of the adverse effects associated with ergogenic aid.

Although it is important for health professionals to educate children and adolescents about the effects of ergogenic aids, interventions that rely only on providing information about the negative effects of anabolic steroids seem to have little effect in reducing the incidence of steroid use. A team-oriented approach that involves the collaboration of health professionals, coaches, trainers, parents, and peers can be effective in changing children's and adolescents' attitudes and behaviors.Children and adolescents need to hear the same message from a variety of people.

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