Blood Doping
Physical Education: AQA GCSE, topic 7.3.6
Blood Doping
Blood doping is an illegal process. The steps are as follows:
Blood removal
- An athlete removes blood (about 2 pints) from their body many weeks before competition.
- This blood is then frozen and stored for later use.
Body produces more red blood cells
- After the blood is removed, the body produces more red blood cells to make up for the loss of blood.
Injection of stored blood
- After training, once the body's blood content has returned to normal levels, the athlete thaws out and injects the blood that has been stored away 1-2 days before competition.
- This increases the red blood cell content hugely.
- This lets the body absorb and deliver more oxygen from the air to the working muscles.
PROs and CONs of Blood Doping
Blood doping improves sporting performance but puts the performer's well-being at risk.
PRO - produce energy faster
- Allows more oxygen to be carried to the muscles to create energy.
CON - increased risk of heart attack
CON - blockage of blood vessels (embolism)
CON - contraction of blood-based diseases
- E.g. HIV.
- E.g. hepatitis.
CON - thickening of the blood
PRO - fatigue slower
Test yourself on Blood Doping
Blood Doping
What component of blood does blood doping try to maximise?
What are the benefits of blood doping?
What are the disadvantages of blood doping?