Most Common Substances Prohibited in Particular Sports

The world of sports has become an action packed battleground wherein competing athletes try and prove their supremacy in the game. Excessive competition often forces athletes to employ methods and techniques which are not ethical and satisfactory in nature. Of the numerous substances which are considered a taboo for sporting competitions, the administration of anabolic steroids are often considered illegal and enough to expel the individual from competing in competitive sports.

The Banned Substances

There are numerous substances which come under the banned category and whilst some of them are often considered avoidable, others are strictly adhered to. Of the various substances which are considered imperative in the banned list are the anabolic steroids. The anabolic androgenic steroids are clenbuterol, selective androgen receptor modulators, tibolone and zeranol are also included in the category. Besides hormones and related substances such as Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents, Growth Hormone (GH), Insulin-like Growth Factors (e.g. IGF-1), Mechano Growth Factors (MGFs); Chorionic Gonadotrophin (CG) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in males; Insulins and Corticotrophins. The BETA-2 AGONISTS, harmone antagonists and modulators, diuretic and masking agents are also included in the banned category.

The Athletic Sport

The area wherein the anti-dope campaign is considered the strongest and the firmest is the athletic field. The events which include the ordinary track and field events, the jumps and throws are included in this category. Although there are numerous other sporting events such as boxing, swimming and weightlifting wherein the laws are equally strict, the places where the impact is felt the maximum is always the track and field events. The classic case of the 100m sprint champion Ben Johnson is a grim reminder of the stringent anti-doping measures followed in the track and field events during the Olympic Games.

The Boxing And Weightlifting Events

Strength related sports, with special regards to power lifting, weightlifting and boxing, are also considered events wherein sportsmen, in a bid to prove their supremacy in the game, take the help of anabolic and other banned substances. While a few years ago, the laws on doping were not all that strict, recent years have seen a sudden increase in the cases wherein top athletes have been caught red handed using certain banned substances. These athletes have then been condemned to stringent disciplinary measures, with some being asked to leave the sport altogether. Such life term bans seem hard but are essential to ensure that the sporting events are kept drug free and that the normal legal procedures are carried out with immediate effect.

The Sample Collection And The Overall Procedure

The urine sampling method is often considered the safest and the most effective means of checking whether an athlete has administered a banned substance or not. The samples are generally collected a short while before an event is to take place as at this time, the content of the banned substance is considered to be the highest in a human body. Likewise, the urine sample can also be collected during a training cession and also when the athlete is enjoying an off season sabbatical.