Essentials of Nutrition for Sports

Corticosteroids

Banned without governing body pr

eregistration. Prescription.

These hormone products may be inhaled or injected. They can

help a wide variety of inflammatory medical problems and so help performance. Inhalation of corticosteroids, or injection into a muscle or joint for local problems, requires prompt notification of national anti-doping agencies (e.g. USADA).

Avoid without medical need.

Creatine

Not banned. Creatine is one of the hottest performance-enhancing

supplements. It is also one of the most studied.

The body’s own creatine phosphate is important for short,

anaerobic efforts. The question is whether oral ingestion succeeds in getting creatine to the muscles to improve performance.

Over the years, the consensus

has been that it will not help

aerobic performance activities such as most bicycling events.

It may or may not work for sports with repeated anaerobic

efforts such as track cycling, hockey, or football. It may be helpful for resistance (weight) training.

Meta-analysis (statistical summa

ry review) of creatine and

anaerobic performance concluded that creatine supplementation does not improve anaerobic performance.

Some studies have suggested that coaches, sport scientists, and

physicians should discourage crea

tine use because it is associated

with more potentially dangerous ergogenics (that is, that it “may lead to harder stuff”).

Some feel that if creatine is taken, it should be ingested along

with glucose. Some studies seem to indicate that carbohydrate supplementation alone may increase performance as much as creatine.

Side Effects

Creatine is not without potential side effects. Studies have

suggested that: •^

Creatine may be a problem in the heat—it may be related to cramping and injury. Some studies show this, others do not.

-^

It may increase blood pressure.

-^

It may increase compartment pressure. Pressure within a confined space may reduce blood flow.

-^

Creatine seems to increase body weight—probably not good for climbers.

-^

It may increase the risk of dehydration.

-^

It may cause upset stomach.

-^

It may cause muscle strain.

-^

It may cause kidney and liver damage.

Not recommended.

DHEA

Banned. DHEA is dehydroepiandosterone: the major androgen hormone

produced by the adrenal gland. Its effects result from its conversion to testosterone.

This natural hormone declines with age, but its importance

(relative to other androgens produced elsewhere in the body) is uncertain. Due to its anabolic acti

on, it could help performance. Of

course, all anabolics are banned. Although a drug, it is unregulated and is sold in health food stores. Dosage, formulation, and quality are uncertain, as are long-term side effects.

Avoid.

Nutrition for Sports, Essentials of 116