Part 4:
Ergogenics & Ergolytics^
Ergogenics Overview
Ergogenic
20 means work producing. Ergogenics include
performance-enhancing substances, devices, and techniques.
What we will discuss here are supposed ergogenic nutritional
aids and supplements; ingested
substances that allegedly improve
performance.
Keep in mind that there is a big difference between something
that is purported or promoted to
improve performance and something
that really does.
Ethics
question: Should one be allowed to take something to
make one stronger or go faster? It is not a black and white issue, and not a question that I will discuss here.
Competitor
question: Some of these substances are banned; some
are not. Governing bodies ban compounds for many reasons, including safety, creating a level playing field, and prohibiting masking agents that make the det
ection of other banned substances
more difficult. What is banned for one sport or federation may not be in another. For example, bicycle racers are subject to different rules than triathletes.
Legal
question: Legality, another topic, is a criminal issue. Some
ergogenic aids require a prescription.
If you compete, you should assume that anything you ingest
except “real food” is banned unless you know otherwise. Some over-the-counter decongestants, used for colds and the flu, are banned. Some nose sprays are banned. Many teas and herbal remedies contain banned substances. Many pain pills, high blood pressure medications, and asthma medicines are banned.
20 From the Greek
ergo-
+ -genic.
Nutrition for Sports, Essentials of 109
