Until now, many coaches would recommend a caffeine pill to athletes looking for a jolt, but a recent study in the journal PLOS One shows that coffee works just as well. Riders who drank the coffee-based equivalent of 5 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight about two cups of coffee performed just as well as those on caffeine pills—finishing a time trial nearly five percent faster than their decaf-drinking peers.

The result: You feel less tired, and your body has more fuel available for aerobic metabolism, sparring your glycogen stores for the crucial final intense moments of a race or group ride. Caffeine freaks take note: A recent review of 21 studies suggests that tapering off caffeine seven days ahead of a race will maximize its effects; Sims suggests maintaining your regular intake to prevent disrupting your sleep cycle.

The reason: Some studies point to astonishing results—like a 55 percent increase in bench press performance among experienced athletes.

The supplement prevents protein breakdown, making it particularly useful for older athletes or people doing lots of endurance training where recovery becomes an issue, Dr. Joyner says. Exactly how big a boost can cyclists expect? A recent study on eight riders with an average training volume of miles per week showed supplementing with HMB increased the time it took them to reach their VO2 peak—a very high level of energy output—by eight percent.

Most studies recommend taking three grams of HMB daily for maximal benefit. Upping the dosage may not have an effect—a recent study found that taking six grams had no practical benefit on strength gains over the three-gram dose. Simply rinsing your mouth with a sugary liquid can increase performance, a number of recently released studies suggest.

While researchers are still debating the mechanism behind the boost, they believe that receptors in your mouth increase neural drive in response to the presence of sugar. Essentially, the theory goes, experiencing pleasure can make exercise easier—allowing you to ride longer.

A recent study in the European Journal of Sport Science asked the crucial question: Exactly how long do you need to wait between rinsing and spitting? At least ten seconds, the researchers report. Cyclists given a ten-second-long rinse covered just over a mile more distance in a time trial than those swishing with a placebo.

Not in the mood or company to rinse and spit? Pop in a sucking candy. Lim suggests that athletes competing in a time trial start with the sweets to prevent dry mouth and reap some pain-alleviating benefits.

Search Search. Gear Biking 5 Legal Ways to Dope Need to gain an edge? The classifications of substances as performance-enhancing substances are not entirely clear-cut and objective. As in other types of categorization , certain prototype performance enhancers are universally classified as such like anabolic steroids , whereas other substances like vitamins and protein supplements are virtually never classified as performance enhancers despite their effects on performance.

As is usual with categorization, there are borderline cases; caffeine , for example, is considered a performance enhancer by some but not others.

Anabolic steroids are synthetically derived from testosterone and modified to have greater anabolic effects. Injectable forms of the steroid are the most potent and long-lasting. Any ratio of or greater is considered a positive test.

Stimulants improve focus and alertness. Low therapeutic doses of dopaminergic stimulants e. Ergogenic aids, or athletic performance-enhancing substances, include a number of drugs with various effects on physical performance.

Drugs such as amphetamine and methylphenidate increase power output at constant levels of perceived exertion and delay the onset of fatigue, [18] [19] [23] among other athletic-performance-enhancing effects; [3] [14] [15] bupropion also increases power output at constant levels of perceived exertion, but only during short term use.

Adaptogens are plants that support health through nonspecific effects, neutralize various environmental and physical stressors while being relatively safe and free of side effects. As such, the term is not accepted in pharmacological and clinical terminology that is commonly used in the EU.

Actoprotectors or synthetic adaptogens are compounds that enhance an organism's resilience to physical stress without increasing heat output. Actoprotectors are distinct from other doping compounds in that they increase physical and psychological resilience via non-exhaustive action.

Actoprotectors such as bemethyl and bromantane have been used to prepare athletes and enhance performance in Olympic competition. Nootropics, or "cognition enhancers", are substances that are claimed to benefit overall cognition by improving memory e. Allows performance beyond the usual pain threshold.

Some painkillers raise blood pressure , increasing oxygen supply to muscle cells. Painkillers used by athletes range from common over-the-counter medicines such as NSAIDs such as ibuprofen to powerful prescription narcotics.

Sedatives and anxiolytics are used in sports like archery which require steady hands and accurate aim, and also to overcome excessive nervousness or discomfort for more dangerous sports. Diazepam , nicotine, and propranolol are common examples.

Ethanol , the most commonly used substance by athletes, can be used for cardiovascular improvements though has significant detrimental effects.

Ethanol was formerly banned by WADA during performance for athletes performing in aeronautics, archery, automobile, karate, motorcycling and powerboating, but was taken off the ban list in It is detected by breath or blood testing.

Cannabis is banned at all times for an athlete by WADA, though performance-enhancing effects have yet to be studied. Cannabis and nicotine are detected through urine analysis.

Blood doping agents increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood beyond the individual's natural capacity. Recombinant human erythropoietin rhEPO is one of the most widely known drugs in this class.

Erythropoietin, or EPO, is a hormone that helps increase the production of red blood cells which increases the delivery of oxygen to muscles.

Gene doping agents are a relatively recently described class of athletic performance-enhancing substances. Also known as anabolic steroid precursors, they promote lean body mass.

While the use of PEDs has expanded in recent times, the practice of using substances to improve performance has been around since the Ancient Olympic Games.

were used by the Roman Gladiators to overcome injuries and fatigue. In the late 19th century as modern medicine and pharmacology were developing, PEDs saw an increase in use.

In the 20th century, testosterone was isolated and characterized by scientists. In the s, the main PEDs were cortisone and anabolic steroids. Adolescents are the most vulnerable group when it comes to taking performance-enhancing substances. In sports, the term performance-enhancing drugs is popularly used in reference to anabolic steroids or their precursors hence the colloquial term "steroids" ; anti-doping organizations apply the term broadly.

When medical exemptions are granted they are called therapeutic use exemptions. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. What links here Related changes Upload file Special pages Permanent link Page information Cite this page Get shortened URL Download QR code Wikidata item.

Download as PDF Printable version. Substance used to improve any form of activity performance in humans. Main article: Anabolic steroid. Main article: Stimulant. Main articles: Human growth hormone , Creatine , and Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-methylbutyrate.

Main article: Adaptogen. Main article: Actoprotector. Main article: Nootropic. Main article: Analgesic.

Main articles: Sedative and Anxiolytic. Main article: Blood doping. Main article: Erythropoietin. Main article: Gene doping. Main article: Prohormone.

Main article: Doping in sport. May doi : PMC PMID Primary Care. Amphetamines and caffeine are stimulants that increase alertness, improve focus, decrease reaction time, and delay fatigue, allowing for an increased intensity and duration of training Current Neuropharmacology.

The first aim of this paper was to review current trends in the misuse of smart drugs also known as Nootropics presently available on the market focusing in detail on methylphenidate, trying to evaluate the potential risk in healthy individuals, especially teenagers and young adults.

Better Fighting Through Chemistry? The Role of FDA Regulation in Crafting the Warrior of the Future. Food and Drug Law: Final Paper. Retrieved 4 March British Journal of Pharmacology. ISSN Retrieved 12 April Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation.

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. Clinics in Sports Medicine. In , Chandler and Blair 47 showed significant increases in knee extension strength, acceleration, anaerobic capacity, time to exhaustion during exercise, pre-exercise and maximum heart rates, and time to exhaustion during maximal oxygen consumption VO2 max testing after administration of 15 mg of dextroamphetamine versus placebo.

Most of the information to answer this question has been obtained in the past decade through studies of fatigue rather than an attempt to systematically investigate the effect of ADHD drugs on exercise.

In , Roelands and colleagues 53 studied the effect of reboxetine, a pure NE reuptake inhibitor, similar to atomoxetine, in 9 healthy, well-trained cyclists.

They too exercised in both temperate and warm environments. They showed decreased power output and exercise performance at both 18 and 30 degrees centigrade.

Anabolic steroids can enhance muscle mass and athletic performance. However, they are illegal without a prescription. They can also have harmful side effects, including :. Some people may become addicted to anabolic steroids.

They may rely on them for enhanced performance and experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking them.

Legal steroids typically refer to multi-ingredient supplements to enhance muscle strength and fitness.

Research suggests they may be effective when combined with an appropriate fitness routine. Generally, blended supplements appear safe, with a low risk of major side effects. However, there are limited studies investigating the long-term effects. People who take workout supplements should not ignore the importance of a balanced diet and a consistent exercise routine.

A personal trainer or fitness app could provide them with the support and motivation they need to reach their fitness goals. Steroids are used in medicine to treat certain conditions, such as inflammation and hypogonadism. Anabolic steroids are more commonly associated with…. A look at how long it takes to build muscle by working out.

Included is detail on macronutrients and the best way to build muscle safely and…. Muscle dysmorphia can cause a preoccupation with building muscle and the belief that a person's muscles are smaller than they are. Learn more in this…. Learn about relative energy deficiency in sport RED-S.

This article looks at symptoms, causes, treatment options, and more. Pilates is a type of workout that involves simple, repetitive exercises that increase muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, and postural stability….

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Legal steroids: Do they exist and do they work? Medically reviewed by Femi Aremu, PharmD — By Aaron Kandola on November 3, Definition Effectiveness and benefits Risks and side effects Alternatives Risks of anabolic steroids Summary Legal steroids refer to workout supplements that may increase muscle mass and athletic performance.

Effectiveness and benefits. Risks and side effects. Why you should avoid anabolic steroids. How we reviewed this article: Sources. However, CLA can cause side effects, including upset stomach, nausea, and fatigue. It can also impact how well the body uses insulin. CLA can interact negatively with certain medications, like antipsychotics.

Carnitine transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria. This allows them to be burned for energy, which can help boost exercise performance. Even so, many athletes continue to take the supplement. Taking more than 3 grams of carnitine per day can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramping, and diarrhea.

Carnitine can also interact harmfully with some medications, such as thyroid medications and the blood thinner warfarin. Drugstores often sell the mineral as chromium picolinate.

Muscles use creatine to release energy, which enhances lean muscle mass and increases muscle energy. Those who take creatine often do so as a means to build muscle mass. Taking creatine is also not without its side effects. For example, creatine can cause weight gain, muscle cramping, and stomach cramping.

Additionally, the liver and kidneys must filter creatine. Taking an excessive amount can put a strain on these important organs, which could potentially damage them.

Individual results may vary for all of these supplements. Talk with your doctor or athletic trainer about the safety and effectiveness of individual supplements. The NCAA and the Olympics commission have banned some substances because they offer an unfair advantage or can cause harm to the athlete.

Anabolic and other steroids are illegal in sporting events and according to the law. The side effects are numerous and potentially fatal.

Examples include androstenedione, stanozolol, axiron, and fortesta. DHEA is possibly the most abundant steroid in humans. Using synthetic versions to increase steroid production is potentially dangerous.

Diuretics are medications that cause a person to urinate more frequently. Diuretics can cause a variety of harmful side effects, such as cramping, dizziness, blood pressure drops, and electrolyte imbalances. Blood doping is the process of boosting red blood cells to help carry more oxygen to the muscles and lungs.

It can be done through a blood transfusion or through use of drugs like erythropoietin. Athletes use the medication to make more red blood cells in their bodies. Endurance athletes may especially try to use erythropoietin, believing they they can perform longer with more oxygen.

Ephedrine is a central nervous stimulant. Ephedrine produces similar effects to adrenaline, but it too can be dangerous. It can cause serious cardiovascular effects, including stroke, and a whole host of other problems. Both athletic organizations and the FDA have banned it. HGH is a drug developed to help treat growth disorders in children.

It stimulates cell reproduction and regeneration. on the day before a Competition in which the Athlete is scheduled to participate, unless a different period was approved by WADA for a given sport. This is to allow elimination of the glucocorticoid to below the reporting level. If a glucocorticoid is administered as an injection, oral or rectal route during the In-Competition period, the athlete must apply for a TUE.

If a glucocorticoid is administered during the Out-of-Competition period, but the competition will occur within the washout period, the following procedure should be followed:. Complete the appropriate medical record documentation at the time of administration to include: history, physical examination, diagnosis, clinical investigations, medication name, dosage, route of administration, and duration of treatment.

A TUE is NOT required to be submitted if the glucocorticoid is administered in the Out-of-Competition period and the competition time falls outside of the Washout Period. If an Adverse Analytical Finding is reported following Doping Control, a Retroactive TUE must be submitted with the medical documentation.

Proteases also known as proteolytic enzymes , for example, pancreatin, are not prohibited when taken orally for the medical treatment of digestive or other conditions.

According to the Prohibited List, proteases are prohibited when added to a urine or blood sample to tamper, or attempt to tamper, with the sample. The use of dietary supplements by athletes is a serious concern because in many countries the manufacturing and labeling of supplements do not follow strict rules, which may lead to a supplement containing an undeclared substance that is prohibited under anti-doping regulations.

A significant number of positive tests have been attributed to the misuse of supplements and attributing an Adverse Analytical Finding to a poorly labeled dietary supplement is not an adequate defense in a doping hearing. The risks of taking supplements should be weighed against the potential benefit that may be obtained, and athletes must appreciate the negative consequences of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation as a result of taking a contaminated supplement.

Use of supplement products that have been subjected to one of the available quality assurance schemes can help to reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of an inadvertent doping infringement. The Laboratory Code of Ethics, in the International Standard for Laboratories Section 3. dietary supplements unless specifically requested by an Anti-Doping Organization as part of a doping case investigation.

The Laboratory shall not provide results, documentation or advice that, in any way, suggests endorsement of products or services. The Prohibited List Explore the list Read the FAQ. Get the latest version of the List The List is updated at least annually. The official text is published by WADA in English and French.

Get your copy This link will open in a new window. Enter your keywords. Filters Close filters modal. Reset all filters. All All. Beta-blocker Method Substance All times In competition In particular sports Reset all filters Apply. Important disclaimer See more.

No results found. All times All prohibited substances in this class are Specified Substances. ANABOLIC AGENTS All times.

All times All prohibited substances in this class are non- Specified Substances. Anabolic agents are prohibited. OTHER ANABOLIC AGENTS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: Clenbuterol Osilodrostat Ractopamine Selective androgen receptor modulators [SARMs, e.

andarine, enobosarm ostarine , LGD ligandrol , RAD, S and YK] Zeranol Zilpaterol. All times All prohibited substances in this class are non -Specified Substances. The following substances, and other substances with similar chemical structure or similar biological effect s , are prohibited: S2.

Darbepoetins dEPO Erythropoietins EPO EPO-based constructs [e. EPO-Fc, methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta CERA ] EPO-mimetic agents and their constructs e. CNTO, peginesatide S2. Cobalt Daprodustat GSK IOX2 Molidustat BAY Roxadustat FG Vadadustat AKB Xenon S2.

K S2. Luspatercept Sotatercept S2. Asialo EPO Carbamylated EPO CEPO S2. PEPTIDE HORMONES AND THEIR RELEASING FACTORS S2. buserelin, deslorelin, goserelin, histrelin, leuprorelin, nafarelin and triptorelin kisspeptin and its agonist analogues S2. lonapegsomatropin, somapacitan and somatrogon growth hormone fragments, e.

AOD and hGH S2. CJC, CJC, sermorelin and tesamorelin growth hormone secretagogues GHS and their mimetics [e. anamorelin, capromorelin, ibutamoren MK , ipamorelin, lenomorelin ghrelin , macimorelin and tabimorelin] GH-releasing peptides GHRPs [e.

alexamorelin, examorelin hexarelin , GHRP-1, GHRP-2 pralmorelin , GHRP-3, GHRP-4, GHRP-5 and GHRP-6] S2. BETA-2 AGONISTS All times. All selective and non-selective beta-2 agonists, including all optical isomers, are prohibited.

All times Prohibited substances in classes S4. The following hormone and metabolic modulators are prohibited. ACE Anti-activin receptor IIB antibodies e.

bimagrumab Myostatin inhibitors such as: Agents reducing or ablating myostatin expression Myostatin-binding proteins e. follistatin, myostatin propeptide Myostatin- or precursor - neutralizing antibodies e.

apitegromab, domagrozumab, landogrozumab, stamulumab S4. DIURETICS AND MASKING AGENTS All times. Including, but not limited to: Diuretics such as: Acetazolamide; amiloride; bumetanide; canrenone; chlortalidone; etacrynic acid; furosemide; indapamide; metolazone; spironolactone; thiazides, e.

bendroflumethiazide, chlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide; torasemide; triamterene; Vaptans, e. conivaptan, mozavaptan, tolvaptan; Plasma expanders by intravenous administration such as: Albumin, dextran, hydroxyethyl starch, mannitol; Desmopressin; Probenecid; and other substances with a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect s.

All times All prohibited methods in this class are non -Specified except methods in M2. The following are prohibited: M1. The following are prohibited: M2. GENE AND CELL DOPING All times. The following, with the potential to enhance sport performance, are prohibited: M3.

The use of normal or genetically modified cells. In competition All prohibited substances in this class are Specified Substances except those in S6. Stimulants include: S6. NARCOTICS In competition. In competition All prohibited substances in this class are Specified Substances.

Buprenorphine Dextromoramide Diamorphine heroin Fentanyl and its derivatives Hydromorphone Methadone Morphine Nicomorphine Oxycodone Oxymorphone Pentazocine Pethidine Tramadol. BETA-BLOCKERS In particular sports. In particular sports All prohibited substances in this class are Specified Substances.

Frequently asked questions. How does a substance or method make it to the prohibited list? See more. The WADA Prohibited List may include any substance and methods that satisfy any two of the following three criteria: It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance; It represents an actual or potential health risk to the Athlete; It violates the spirit of sport this definition is outlined in the Code.

What is the status of platelet derived preparations PRP? Note that individual growth factors from any other source remain prohibited under S. What is the status of plasmapheresis? Is Intravenous Laser Therapy prohibited?

What is the status of methylhexaneamine MHA? What is the status of clenbuterol? What is the status of colostrum? Is Dialysis a Prohibited Method?

How are substances named and categorised on the Prohibited List? WADA names substances according to the following convention: For substances that have been given an International Non-proprietary Name INN , as published by the World Health Organisation, this name is used first.

Only when the commonly-used name of a substance is better known than the INN, this commonly-used name appears in parenthesis.

When the INN is not known, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry IUPAC nomenclature is used, accompanied in some cases by the commonly-used name. As INNs are generated, the Prohibited List evolves with the addition of the INN and if deemed beneficial, the previous IUPAC name may be still included for a period of time.

Common examples of substances and methods are provided in all sections but these examples are not exhaustive.