Drugs and Sports - Case Study Example

A Sociological Outlook: Research on Sports and Drugs Outline Introduction Background of the Study Objectives of the Study Significance of the Study Review of Related Literatures An Overview of the Historical Account of Drug Use to Enhance Performance The Effects of Drugs on Sports Summary Personal Opinion Works Cited Introduction Background of the Study Some athletes resort to drugs and other substances to physically increase their performance in their particular field in sports. Nonetheless, the practice of doping is regarded to be illegal. Basically, drug use to enhance performance is an unfair strategy that offers a competitive advantage to the athlete over the others. Some of the impacts of drugs in sports are increased productivity, endurance, alertness, wakefulness and overcoming fatigue (Riddle, Fleckenstein & Hanson E847 – 451). Such effects make them be more aggressive in sports (Gilbert 30). Likewise, they are even stronger due to the increased endurance, strength and power as well as develop the muscle form (Gilbert 30). Though, despite the case that doping produces positive effects on sports, it is banned. Its prohibition is not just because of its increased athletic performance impacts. Its ban is fundamentally due to its harmful effects. Objectives of the Study This study primarily aims at investigating drug and substance use in the arena of sports. In analyzing such relationship between drugs and sports, it will assist in objectively making judgment on such issue. In order to do this, this paper will specifically aim at answering two points. First, it attempts to root historically the origin of drug and substance use in sports. Second, it intends to discuss both the long and short – term effects of drug use in sports. Significance of the Study This paper is of significance because it aims to critically analyze the relationship between drugs and sports as part of the taken for granted realities in our society today. The need to investigate such phenomenon can be backed up by the persistence of drug and substance use in sports just to physically boost the performance of the athlete despite its known damaging effects on their health. Through using a sociological outlook, this paper will unveil why such practice persists in the face of its harmful consequences. Review of Related Literatures An Overview of the Historical Account of Drug Use to Enhance Performance The use of drugs in sports has a long been recorded. As a matter of fact, such practice has started since the ancient times and still has remained today. For the most part, athletes use drugs because of its advantage of improving the physical performance through overcoming fatigue or boosting strength (Yesalis and Bahrke 44). The Greeks and Romans of the ancient periods have used stimulants or what was defined by Riddle, Fleckenstein & Hanson, the sort of drugs that produces effects of short - term advancements in both the physical and mental utilities (E847 – 451). Greeks, in particular, imbibed a lot of kinds of alcoholic beverage like wine as well as brandy (Voy 14). Likewise, they also included in their diet sesame seeds as well as hallucinogenic mushrooms to enhance their performance. On the one hand, the Romans had delayed the onset of fatigue and overcome injury through boosting their strengths with the aid of unnamed stimulants (Wadler & Hainline 176). Meanwhile, it is important to note that majority of the early stimulants had originated from plants. Stimulants with plant origin were used by Berserkers of Norse mythology, Samoyeds, West Africans, Andean Native Americans of Peru, Tarahumara of northern Mexico, The Australian Aborigines and the lumberjacks in Austria in order to increase performance, to boost their strength and endurance and also to overcome fatigue (Yesalis and Bahrke 45). Nonetheless, the late nineteenth century which marked the commencement of the scientific experimentation had given birth to the modern drugs or substances which served a purpose of performance enhancement (Yesalis and Bahrke 45) in which amphetamines was one of the others who functioned as an aid (Yesalis and Bahrke 51). Meanwhile, the twentieth century emerged the increased proportions of the athletes who resorted to drugs to enhance their performance (Yesalis and Bahrke 47). For example, Testosterone had been consumed by the athletes during that era as an aid to improve their physical performance. Today, with the advancement of science and technology, there are even more drugs and substances that are used in sports to enhance the athletes’ performance. Even though this practice is illegal especially in the field of sports, athletes are resorting to these substances to have competitive advantage over the others. The Effects of Drugs on Sports The main reason behind the use of drugs in sports or what is basically known as doping is its effect of improving the physical performance of athletes. Though not all athletes are practicing such, some of them are using different drugs and substances to have an unfair advantage over the others. Some athletes do take stimulants, analgesics, diuretics and cannabis or marijuana which all together help to enhance their performance in sports (Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) 1). Stimulants are known for improving the physical as well as mental capacities even for a short – span of time through increased productivity, endurance, alertness, wakefulness while delaying the feeling of fatigue (Riddle et al. E847 – 451). Together with this sort of drug, some athletes use analgesics to lessen the intensity of pain due to physical activity (AFM 1). On the one hand, since weight is an important element in sports, some use diuretics to hurriedly reduce weight though the effects do last just temporarily (AFM 1). Likewise, through its increased urination effect, it also functions to mask the manifestation of the drugs which improve performance. Meanwhile, what cannabis or marijuana can possibly provide is its calming impact (AFM 1). The seemingly positive impacts of such performance – enhancing substances are just short – term. Apart from being increased productivity, endurance, alertness, wakefulness while delaying the feeling of fatigue (Riddle et al. E847 – 451), these drugs make them stronger and even more aggressive in sports (AFM 1). Anabolic steroids are claimed as a performance – enhancing drug by many literatures (Gilbert 30 – 35; Yesalis, Herrick, Buckley. Friedl, Brannon, & Wright 91 – 100; Yesalis, Kennedy, Kopstein, Bahrke 1217 – 1221; Yesalis, Bahrke, Kopstein, & Barsukiewicz, 73 – 115). An example of anabolic steroids, testosterone, for example, produces effects that provide increased endurance, strength and power as well as develop the muscle form (Gilbert 30). Also, testosterone is also known for aggression that can aid the athletes in their activity in the field of sports. Since the effects of such substance can improve their performance which gives them a competitive advantage over the others, athletes may feel its need and be psychologically as well as physically dependent on such (AMF 2). However, apart from the positive effects of such performance – enhancing drugs that come swiftly, such substances produce negative but long – term consequences. According to Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, physically, athletes may have developed a round face or the “moon face”, may have acquired acne, ruptured tendons, reduced flexibility of muscles, yellowish tinge on the skin and eyes, liver problems, heart disease, and others while emotionally, they can be paranoid and be violent (2). Last but not the least, too much drug and substance abuse to enhance performance can lead to death. The first televised death due to doping was in 1967 where Tom Simpson’s, a cyclist, fell down and died due to increased intake of methamphetamine (Donohoe & Johnson 8). A year after, despite winning his race, another cyclist, Yves Mottin, died after two days due to high levels of amphetamines (Todd & Todd 69). Even though it is the case that drugs and other substances do improve the physical performance of athletes, doping is basically banned in sports because of its damaging consequences on health. It may possibly give them an unfair competitive advantage and win game, but in the end, it’s their physical and emotional condition at some points which will surely suffer. Summary To sum up, the use of performance – enhancing drug and substances is practiced in sports not just in this day and age of modernity but even in the ancient times. During the ancient times, substances that boost physical performance are mostly from plant origins. With the advancement of science and technology today, drugs and substances do not just come from plants but have different origins and vary in forms due. But despite how such have developed, they basically do function the same purpose of enhancing the athletic performance. Apart from being known as generally a performance booster in sports, some of the its specific impacts of drugs in sports are increased productivity, endurance, alertness, wakefulness and overcoming fatigue (Riddle, Fleckenstein & Hanson E847 – 451). Such effects make them be more aggressive in sports (Gilbert 30). Likewise, they are even stronger due to the increased endurance, strength and power as well as develop the muscle form (Gilbert 30). However, on the sad note, these impacts are just short - term. Meanwhile, given the positive consequences it offers to the athletes, they sense the urge to need such drugs and substances because of the advantages it offers to them, especially, the chance of winning the game. Nonetheless, its impacts in the long - run are extremely dangerous. Being into sports has made them depend more on drugs. Likewise, it affects the emotional and mental health. In the long run, there are a number of different health risks including liver and heart disease that can physically damage the health. What is more to that is the fact that its excessive amount of usage can be the reason for their death. Personal Opinion Despite the damaging effects of using drugs and other substance in sports, there are some athletes who continuously consume such in order to boost their physical performance, to gain a competitive advantage over the other, and of course, to win the game. However, these athletes do not withstand the probable negative long – term effects of such resorting to drugs. Basically, this can be backed up by the fact that these drugs and all the other substances do help them to make them perform at their very best. To be the strongest and the best in his or her own particular field means to a certain status in which this status serves as a power. For me, this explains for the reason why some athletes can’t let go of the resorting to drugs and all other substances that can enhance their performance in sports. They know the possible health risks of such doping but what matters for them at the moment is being the strongest athlete which is a status in its self. In this society we live in, status is power. Athletes would want always to gain a competitive advantage from the others because of the inequality existing in our society. Having the hierarchy in society, athletes want to be situated higher than the others. This is due to the advantages it gives to them. In the competition itself, winning means popularity. Winning the game means a certain reputation in that field of sports. That is why, they can get addicted to drugs and be dependent on such because they aim more advanced position over the others. They will only reproach such damaging habits when the negative consequences will take effect on them. Works Cited: Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. “Drugs and Sports.” AFM The Basics. Web. 27 July 2012. Donohoe, T., & Johnson, N. Foul Play? Drug Use in Sport. Oxford: Blackwel, 1986. Print. Riddle EL, Fleckenstein AE & Hanson GR. "Role of Monoamine Transporters in Mediating Psychostimulant Effects." The AAPS journal 7.4 (2005): E847–51. Web. 27 July 2012. Gilbert, B. “Drugs in Sport: Part 3. High Time to Make Some Rules.” Sports Illustrated (1969): 30-35. Print. Todd, J., & Todd, T. (2001). “Significant Events in The History of Drug Testing and The Olympic Movement: 1960-1999.” In W. Wilson & E. Derse (Eds.), Doping in Elite Sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kenetics, 2001. 65-128. Print. Voy, R.. Drugs, Sport, and Politics. Champaign, IL: Leisure Press, 1991. Print. Wadler, G., & Hainline, B. Drugs and the Athlete. Philadelphia: Davis, 1989. Print. Yesalis, C., Herrick, R., Buckley,W., Friedl, K., Brannon, D., & Wright, J. Self-Reported Use of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids by Elite Power Lifters. Physician and Sports Medicine (1988) 16, 91-100. Print. Yesalis, C.E., Kennedy, N., Kopstein, A., & Bahrke, M.S. “Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use in the United States.” Journal of the American Medical Association 270 (1993): 1217-1221. Print. Yesalis, C.E. & Bahrke, M.S. “History of Doping in Sport.” International Sports Studies 24.1 (2002): 42-76. Print. Yesalis, C.E., Bahrke, M.S., Kopstein, A.N., & Barsukiewicz, C.K. “Incidence of Anabolic Steroid Use: A Discussion of Methodological Issues.” In C.E. Yesalis (Ed.), Anabolic Steroids in Sport and Exercise. 2nd ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2000. 73-115. Print. Read More