Drug Restrictions
Physical Education: AQA GCSE, topic 7.3.7
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers are a performance-enhancing drug. They have the following effects on the body:

Reduce the effects of adrenaline on the body
- They do this by reducing muscle tension (tightness), heart rate and blood pressure.
- With these effects, they can improve a performer's fine motor skills (involved in smaller movements that take place in the wrists, hands, fingers, feet and toes) and help with accuracy.

Side effects
- Nausea (feeling sick).
- Poor circulation, which can cause heart problems.
- Tiredness.
- Weakness.
Performance Enhancing Drugs
Different types of performer will use different types of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).

Stimulants (improve alertness)
These PEDs benefit:
- Sprinters (by reducing reaction time off the start line to make a faster start).
- Racing drivers (by reducing reaction time off the start line to make a quick getaway).
- Rugby players (by increasing aggression to tackle harder).

Narcotic analgesics (pain killers)
These PEDs benefit:
- Weightlifters (by reducing over-training pain so that they are able to train more often to increase strength).
- NFL players (by reducing pain so that they can play through an injury and get to the end of a game).

Anabolic agents (increase muscle mass)
These PEDs benefit:
- Boxers (by increasing muscle mass for improved punching strength).
- Rugby players (by increasing muscle mass for improved leg strength to drive a scrum).

Diuretics (weight loss)
- These PEDs benefit:
- Boxers (trying to make a set weight before a fight).
- MMA fighters (trying to make a set weight before a fight).

Peptide hormones (improve oxygen carrying capacity)
- These PEDs benefit:
- Marathon runners (by improving their ability to transport oxygen around the body to create energy).
- Long-distance cyclists (by improving their ability to transport oxygen around the body to create energy).

Beta blockers (for fine motor control)
- These PEDs benefit:
- Archers (by calming and relaxing muscles to improve accuracy).
- Darts players (by calming and relaxing muscles to improve accuracy).
Test yourself on Drug Restrictions
What performance enhancing drug reduces the effect of adrenaline on the body?
The side effects of beta blockers
How do beta blockers reduce the effect of adrenaline on the body?
Which hormone do beta blockers reduce the effects of?
What does PED stand for?