Doping: Athletics Stars reported suspicious blood values ​​- SPIEGEL ONLINE

The endurance performance is much dependent on how well the body can absorb oxygen. The hormone erythropoietin (Epo) stimulates red blood cell production. The increased number of circulating red blood cells in the body improves the capacity of the blood to absorb oxygen and increases endurance capacity.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) prohibits the use of Epo long. Since 1983, it is possible to produce Epo synthetically. It was developed for patients with severe kidney disease who suffer from anemia.

The growth hormone HGH is used for short stature. HGH can not only muscles but also the bones grow, which results in long limbs, a deformed head and giant hands. In addition, the structure of the institutions changed. (with AP)

anabolic steroids are artificially produced relatives of the male sex hormone testosterone . These steroid or growth hormones have both a muscle-promoting ( anabolic ) and a masculinizing ( androgenic ) effect. Anabolic steroids can be injected as a tablet as well. In Germany they are rezeptflichtig, but are rarely used, for example for the therapy of debility.

Illegal anabolic steroids are taken in parallel with appropriate training in order to promote the development of muscle – so abused as a doping agent. Known Anabolic supplements are among other nandrolone, stanozolol and Methandrostenolone.

As stimulants (lat. Stimulare = ” stimulate “) substances are referred to that have a stimulating effect on the organism. They stimulate the activity of the central nervous system. As Stimulant they are taken shortly before or during the competition. They increase the motor activity, increase the risk appetite and drive the fatigue, but also the sense of the natural limits. Best-known stimulants are amphetamines , cocaine, ephedrine and caffeine (prohibited only in large quantities).

Many stimulants can depending make when consumed regularly. In overdose threatening depending on the substance hypertension, palpitations, sweating and nausea. After several deaths in sports, which were due to the ingestion of stimulants, they were in 1967 placed on the doping list.

stunning and painkillers such as Morphine are used to suppress pain occurring at peak performance – for example, in a marathon. The drugs make them dependent, further side effects are headache and circulatory paralysis. Of cyclists will reported that these like to drink in the last kilometers Alcohol says Patrick Diel from the Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sports Medicine of the German Sport University Cologne. “This dampens the pain, provides energy and lifts the mood.”

Just as amphetamines are also the most easily detectable narcotics and rarely would therefore used in professional sports. Moreover, if it were even this is a “competition-drug” that must be taken directly from the respective sports event. Correspondingly high is the risk of discovery. (with AP)