Farmakologinės priemonės sporte

Pharmacological measures in sport

Pharmacological agents have long been an important topic in the sports and exercise sciences. These substances, which can enhance physical performance, range from legal supplements to banned substances. Further research and development are revealing new legal ergogenic agents that offer potential benefits to athletes seeking to enhance physical performance legally. However, the line between acceptable supplementation and doping remains a controversial ethical issue. This article reviews the latest legal ergogenic agents under investigation and discusses the ethical aspects associated with doping and legal enhancement.

Legal Ergogenic Supplements: New Supplements Under Research

Understanding ergogenic aids

Ergogenic aids are substances or methods that enhance an athlete's performance by increasing energy production, recovery, or reducing fatigue. They can be classified according to their nature: nutritional, pharmacological, physiological, psychological, and mechanical aids.

Overview of legal ergogenic aids

Legal ergogenic aids are substances permitted by sports regulatory bodies such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and are generally considered safe when used appropriately. Common examples include:

  • Creatine: Improves the results of intense exercise.
  • Caffeine: Increases alertness and endurance.
  • Beta-alanine: Increases muscle carnosine levels, reducing fatigue.

New supplements under research

  1. Beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB)
    • Overview: HMB is a metabolite of the amino acid leucine that is gaining attention for its potential to promote muscle growth and reduce muscle breakdown.
    • Research results:
      • Muscle mass and strength: Research suggests that HMB supplements can increase muscle mass and strength, especially in individuals who perform resistance training.
      • Recovery: HMB may reduce muscle damage and improve recovery after workouts.
    • Potential benefits:
      • Promotes muscle protein synthesis.
      • Reduces muscle protein breakdown.
      • Improves recovery and adaptation to training.
    • Risks and considerations:
      • Usually well tolerated, with minimal side effects.
      • Optimal dosing and long-term effects require further research.
  2. Nitrate supplementation (beet juice)
    • Overview: Dietary nitrates, which can often be found in beet juice, are being studied for their ability to improve cardiovascular efficiency and athletic performance.
    • Research results:
      • Endurance results: Nitrate supplements can reduce oxygen consumption during submaximal exercise and improve endurance.
      • Blood pressure: May reduce resting blood pressure due to vasodilation effects.
    • Potential benefits:
      • Improves mitochondrial function.
      • Improves oxygen supply to muscles.
      • Delays the onset of fatigue during endurance exercise.
    • Risks and considerations:
      • May cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
      • The nitrate content in different products may vary.
  3. Creatine nitrate
    • Overview: A novel form of creatine bound to nitrates, aiming to combine the benefits of both creatine and nitrate.
    • Research results:
      • Improving results: Initial studies show improvements in strength and power output.
      • Absorption: May have better solubility and absorption compared to creatine monohydrate.
    • Potential benefits:
      • Combines the benefits of creatine and nitrate.
      • May require a lower dose.
    • Risks and considerations:
      • Limited long-term safety studies.
      • More research is needed to confirm effectiveness.
  4. Peak ATP (adenosine 5′-triphosphate disodium)
    • Overview: Peak ATP is a patented form of oral ATP supplementation designed to increase extracellular ATP concentrations.
    • Research results:
      • Muscle arousal: May increase muscle arousal and blood flow.
      • Strength and power: Some studies report improvements in strength, power, and muscle mass.
    • Potential benefits:
      • Increases blood flow and nutrient supply to muscles.
      • Promotes muscle adaptation to training.
    • Risks and considerations:
      • More research is needed to determine optimal dosing.
      • May interact with other supplements or medications.
  5. Hordenine
    • Overview: Hordenine is an alkaloid found in barley and other plants that is being studied for its potential to promote fat burning and energy expenditure.
    • Research results:
      • Metabolism: Can increase metabolic rate by releasing norepinephrine.
      • Fat oxidation: May improve fat oxidation during exercise.
    • Potential benefits:
      • Supports weight management.
      • Improves energy levels and concentration.
    • Risks and considerations:
      • Limited human studies.
      • Cardiovascular side effects are possible due to stimulant properties.

The importance of research

Ongoing research is essential to determine the efficacy and safety of new ergogenic aids. Clinical trials and peer-reviewed scientific articles contribute to evidence-based recommendations for athletes and practitioners.

Ethical Considerations: Doping vs. Legal Enhancement

Understanding doping

Doping refers to the use of prohibited substances or methods to enhance an athlete's performance, which is contrary to the principles of fair competition and poses a risk to the health of athletes. WADA constantly updates its list of prohibited substances, which includes anabolic agents, hormones and stimulants.

Ethical debate

  • Fairness in competition
    • Sports integrity: Doping violates the integrity of sport by giving an unfair advantage.
    • Equal level of competition: Ethical sport requires that all participants adhere to the same rules and standards.
  • Athlete health and safety
    • Health risks: Many banned substances pose significant health risks, including hormonal imbalances, organ damage, and psychological disorders.
    • Informed consent: Athletes may feel pressured to choose doping without understanding all its risks.
  • Societal implications
    • Role models: Athletes are role models, and doping can negatively affect the values ​​of young people and society.
    • Public trust: Scandals reduce public trust in sports organizations and athletes.

The line between legal supplementation and doping

  • Unclear areas
    • Supplement pollution: Some legal supplements may be contaminated with banned substances.
    • Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE): Athletes with certain medical conditions can use banned substances with the permission of their doctors, which raises questions about fairness.
  • Technological and scientific progress
    • Gene doping: New technologies, such as gene editing, pose new ethical challenges.
    • Mechanical means: The use of advanced prosthetics or equipment may weaken the boundaries of fair competition.

Ethical guidelines and recommendations

  • WADA Code
    • Anti-doping rules: Establishes rules and sanctions for doping.
    • Athlete education: Promotes education of athletes about the risks and ethical considerations of doping.
  • Philosophical perspectives
    • Deontological ethics: Emphasizes adherence to rules and responsibilities.
    • Consequentialism: Evaluates the consequences of actions, such as health consequences and impacts on society.
  • Promoting ethical improvement
    • Transparency: Clear guidelines on what is considered acceptable improvement.
    • Health priority: The health and well-being of athletes must be the most important goal, even if the goal is to achieve better results.

The landscape of pharmacological agents in sports is constantly changing, with new legal ergogenic aids offering promising opportunities for improved performance. Ongoing research is essential to confirm the efficacy and safety of these supplements. However, ethical issues remain a significant issue in distinguishing legal enhancement from doping. Ensuring universal fairness, athlete health protection and strict adherence to rules are essential to maintaining the integrity of sport. With advances in research and technology, there is a constant need for continued dialogue and ethical reflection to reconcile the enhancement of athlete performance with fair competition.

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