II. Epidemiology
III. Efficacy
- Supplements listed here are for completeness only
- No supplement is endorsed by this resource
- Many supplements are dangerous and illegal
- Ergogenic Aids generally have poor risk-benefit ratio
- Few Ergogenic Aids are beneficial
- Many Ergogenic Aids carry significant risks
IV. Preparations: Adrenergic Stimulants
-
Caffeine
- Athletes are limited to 12 mcg/ml urine (NCAA) and 15 mcg/ml (IOC)
- Performance enhancing in endurance sports
- Cocaine
- Phenylpropanolamine
-
Ephedrine, Ephedra, and Pseudoephedrine
- Prohibited by IOC and NCAA
- Possibly effective in increasing Exercise performance and strength
- However, the potential adverse effects are serious and outweigh any possible benefit
-
Dimethylamylamine (DMAA)
- Banned by world anti-doping agency, U.S. Military, as well as several countries including Canada
- Risk of vasconstriction, Hypertension and coronary events
V. Preparations: Anabolic agents (banned by IOC and NCAA)
- Insulin
-
Anabolic Steroids
- Androstenedione
- Dianabol
- Testosterone
- Dihydrotestosterone
-
Human Growth Hormone (banned by IOC and NCAA)
- Used to enhance growth in Short Stature
- Precursor to Testosterone
- Produced by recombinant Genetics
- Very expensive, difficult to detect
- No benefit for strength and endurance in athletes
VI. Preparations: Anti-Asthma Medications (for performance enhancement)
- Clenbuterol
- Albuterol
- Salbutamol
- Salmeterol
- Terbutaline
VII. Preparations: Increased Red Blood Cell Mass
- Blood Doping
- Recombinant Erythropoietin
VIII. Preparations: Nutritional Supplements
- Creatine Monohydrate
- Amino Acid Supplement (Arginine Aspartate Supplement)
-
Chromium Picolinate
- Reported cases of liver and renal dysfunction and Rhabdomyolysis
- No increase in Exercise performance or strength
-
Iron Supplementation
- Indicated in Iron Deficiency (esp. women)
- No benefit for athletes with normal iron stores (and risk of Hemochromatosis)
- L-Carnitine
- L-Tryptophan
- Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate (HMB)
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
IX. References
- Armsey (1997) Physician Sports Med 25(6):77-92
- Eichner (1997) Physician Sports Med 25(4): 70-83
- Ahrendt (2001) Am Fam Physician 63(5):913-22 [PubMed]
- Catlin (1996) JAMA 276(3): 231-7 [PubMed]
- Jenkinson (2008) Am Fam Physician 78(9):1039-46 [PubMed]