Drugs & Exercise. Lesson. By Carone Fitness

Transcription

1 Lesson Drugs & Exercise By Carone Fitness Being physically fit and using drugs just don t mix. Unfortunately, there are some athletes that do use drugs for recreation or to enhance performance. There are serious consequences and physical damage that can be caused by using drugs. This lesson discusses some of the effects of drugs on the body. 1

2 We have known for years that smoking is detrimental to health and fitness. According to the Special Olympics website: Tobacco cuts down on fitness. So if you smoke or use other tobacco products, you are not going to be able to run as fast or as far as your tobacco-free teammates and competitors. Tobacco slows down your lung growth and reduces lung function. That can leave you gulping for air when you need it most. Teen smokers suffer from shortness of breath almost three times as often as teens who do not smoke. Breath is something an athlete cannot afford to be short of! A smoker's heartbeat is three times faster than that of a non-smoker. So in competition, your body wastes a lot of heartbeats just trying to keep up with non-smokers. 2

3 Young smokers produce phlegm (yuck!) more than twice as often as those who do not smoke. Ever try breathing and trying to spit at the same time? Three out of four young people who smoke say they keep smoking because it is really hard to quit. Do you want to be hooked on nicotine or sports? Teens who smoke are more likely to drink heavily and use illegal drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine. So, if you think, It is just cigarettes," think again. There are no safe tobacco products. Spit tobacco and cigars also cause cancer and harm your athletic performance. The long-term health effects of smoking may seem to be in the distant future, but they are real. Each year, smoking kills more people than AIDS, alcohol, drug abuse, car crashes, murders, suicide, and fires combined! Smoking and athletic performance definitely do not mix. 3

4 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), If current youth tobacco use trends continue, 5 million of today s young people will die of tobacco-related diseases. Nearly all firsttime use of tobacco occurs before high school graduation, which suggests that if kept tobacco-free, most youth will never start using tobacco. In order to combat tobacco use among youth, the CDC has launched a Tobacco Free Sports Initiative. This initiative promotes healthy living and discourages smoking among youth. Several celebrities and athletes have joined the cause. CDC is proud to have on its winning team such stars as Sammy Sosa, Jackie Chan, international skateboarder, Tony Hawk, as well as Olympic gold medalists and world record holders Stacy Dragila (pole vault) and Picabo Street (alpine skiing). 4

5 Steroid use is another problem among competitive athletes that has detrimental side effects. Anabolic steroids are a synthetic version of testosterone, a male hormone that promotes muscle and tissue development. Taking steroids can seriously affect one s physical and emotional health, and keep an athlete barred from competition. The risks of taking steroids or muscle-enhancing drugs are not worth the potential gain. A well-designed strength program is the best way to achieve optimal muscle strength. 5

6 Side effects of steroids include Bone growth is retarded Risk of liver disease Risk of cardiovascular disease Risk of high blood pressure Increased risk of heart attack Dizziness Headaches Insomnia Fatigue Irritability Depression Mood swings Aggressive behavior There are also side effects that are gender-specific. In general, steroids make males less masculine and females more masculine. 6

7 Side Effects When Used by Males More facial and body hair Can lead to impotence Shrinking of the testicles Decreased sperm production Can lead to sterility Heightened feminine characteristics, such as enlarged breasts and nipples Side Effects When Used by Females Development of irreversible masculine characteristics Decreased breast size Increased facial and body hair Darker facial and body hair Menstrual abnormalities Deeper voice 7

8 Supplements & Enhancers Supplements & Other Enhancers Using nutritional or performanceenhancing supplements is a controversial topic in today s society. Although supplements are not illegal, some of them can still have detrimental effects. In addition, some schools in the nation even ban athletes who have used supplements such as creatine. Supplements & Enhancers Many workout supplements available are protein supplements. Protein is the building block of muscles, and it is necessary to get enough protein in the diet for the body to build and repair muscles. However, too much protein can also cause problems, such as dehydration and overtaxation of the kidneys. Your body will only use what protein it needs. Excessive protein will be excreted or stored as fat. 8

9 Supplements & Enhancers While some athletes may swear by performance-enhancing supplements such as creatine, it can have similar side effects to protein supplements. A recent statement by the American College of Sports Medicine notes that ''creatine supplementation has not been shown to improve longer-duration aerobic-type exercise.'' In 1998 the FDA showed its concern by stating, Much remains unknown about whether creatine is absolutely safe for long-term use at levels currently being recommended. Supplements & Enhancers Before taking any kind of supplement, be informed. Is there any controversy surrounding the supplement? What is the correct dosage and recommended use? What are the possible health risks? It is best to consult a health care provider before beginning any kind of supplementation. 9

10 Presented By Carone Fitness 10