Restricted use of active substances in doping

Introduction

This group of active ingredients are substrates that are approved for use in competitions with certain restrictions. These substances are not directly included in doping. However, the question arises as to whether it does not appear medically more sensible to cure the athlete completely than to treat him with local anaesthetics or corticosteroids.

The restricted approved active substances are those which are described in more detail below. – Alcohol

  • Cannabinoids
  • Local anaesthetics
  • Corticosteroids
  • Beta blocker

Comparable to caffeine, alcohol is a stimulant whose general prohibition in sports would make no sense. Alcohol has a stimulating effect in small amounts, but in most sports it does not have a performance-enhancing effect, but rather a performance-inhibiting one due to loss of coordination.

Only in shooting sports, where a steady hand is required, is it forbidden to take alcohol before the competition. This group of substances (cannabis) includes, for example, hashish or marijuana. The contained active substance is ?

  • Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Taking the cannabinoids has a euphoric, mind-altering effect. Long-term use leads to dependence with the use of strong intoxicants.

Due to the only slight euphoria, an increase in performance can only be expected in a few sports with increased risk. The increase in performance is due to the reduction of the fear potential and is accompanied by an increased risk of accidents. In 1999 cannabis was declared banned by the IOC.

However, a tolerance value of 15ng/ml urine is tolerable due to the possible passive consumption. Local anaesthetics are used for local anaesthesia. This can be the case, for example, with joint pain.

Local anaesthetics are permitted under medical supervision when registered with the medical commission. However, cocaine is not permitted as an active substance. Corticosteroids, also known as adrenal hormones, are subject to certain restrictions from the anti-inflammatory aspect.

In the case of a notification to the medical commission, local application (eye, ear etc.) is permitted if there is a medical indication. An effect on the entire body can thus be excluded.

However, the significant increase in the number of asthma patients in competitive sports suggests that treatment with corticosteroid applications is necessary. In the past, beta-blockers, also known as beta-receptor blockers, were considered to be prohibited substances. In 1990, however, they were moved to the list of restricted substances.

Noradrenaline causes an increase in heart rate at the beta-receptor of the heart. If these receptors are blocked by beta-blockers, the heart rate is reduced. Especially in shooting sports these effects are to be used to optimize performance.

Taking beta-blockers is counterproductive in endurance sports as it reduces aerobic and anaerobic endurance performance. In modern pentathlon, the intake of beta blockers has been prevented by putting the disciplines of shooting and cross-country running on one day. Today all disciplines take place on one day.