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Performance-enhancing substances and anabolic steroids sheet
10-mark answer frame

Discuss the use of performance-enhancing substances among athletes, with special reference to anabolic steroids.

How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.

  1. 1 · Open in two lines. Performance-enhancing substances are drugs or methods used to gain an unfair advantage. Most are banned by WADA and harm health.
  2. 2 · Draw a table of classes. [Table: anabolic agents, EPO, growth hormone, stimulants, diuretics, beta-blockers: examples, reason for misuse, risks]
  3. 3 · Anabolic steroids: what and how. Synthetic testosterone; raise muscle protein synthesis; taken in cycles at many times medical doses; banned at all times.
  4. 4 · Side effects.
    • Men: testicular shrinkage, gynaecomastia.
    • Women: deeper voice, body hair, menstrual problems.
    • Teenagers: stunted growth.
    • Both: liver, heart, cholesterol, acne, mood.
  5. 5 · Other substances. EPO for endurance, stimulants for alertness, diuretics for weight and masking, beta-blockers in shooting and archery.
  6. 6 · Anti-doping system. WADA Code and Prohibited List, NADA India, strict liability, TUE, bans of several years.
  7. 7 · Nutrition link. Gains through training, energy and protein from food; batch-tested products only.
  8. 8 · Close in one line. Clean sport protects both fair play and the athlete's long-term health.

Scoring tip: Group the side effects by men, women, teenagers and both; it is easy to remember and easy to mark.