Historical Development of Anti-Doping Agency

Abstract

Doping is a serious problem in all levels of athletics, but especially at the amateur level. The detection of doping has received a lot of attention in the scientific literature, but the negative consequences of doping agents on athletes' health have received much less attention. The beneficial effects of androgenic anabolic steroids on muscular growth and strength are well-documented. Although HGH can boost muscle size, the majority of that gain is water weight rather than actual muscle fibres. Muscle strength, power, and aerobic capacity are not significantly altered by growth hormone in recreational athletes, but anaerobic exercise capacity is increased. On the other hand, beta-adrenergic agonists given intravenously may improve sprinting ability, and beta-adrenergic antagonists decrease muscle tremor. It was discovered in 1968 that Swedish athlete Hens-gunnar Liljenwall had been using alcohol as a form of performance-enhancing doping. Alcohol use, for instance, is prohibited in some activities and sports but not in others, such as when compared to motor racing, where such a prohibition does not exist. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is responsible for monitoring doping in all different kinds of competitive sports. Steroids, anabolic agents, stimulants, and gene doping are just a few examples of the kinds of things that might get you in trouble with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).