a) Identify two Irish anti-doping rule violations - Leaving Cert Physical Education - Question 8 - 2020

Anabolic steroids, synthetic derivatives of testosterone, significantly impact performance by enhancing muscle mass and strength. They achieve this through several mechanisms:

Increased Muscle Mass

Anabolic steroids facilitate protein synthesis, leading to muscle hypertrophy. This allows athletes to train harder and recover faster from exercise, enabling increased workload and improved results.

Enhanced Recovery

These substances reduce recovery time between workouts, allowing athletes to maintain a high training frequency. The faster recovery from muscle fatigue promotes consistent and intense training regimens.

Improved Athletic Performance

With increased strength and endurance, athletes can perform better in their respective sports. Enhanced muscle power can lead to improved performance in strength sports, while increased stamina benefits endurance athletes.

Psychological Effects

Anabolic steroids can also lead to aggression and enhanced competitiveness, which might give athletes a psychological edge during competitions. However, these effects may also lead to adverse behavior and health risks.

Conclusion

While the performance-enhancing effects of anabolic steroids can be substantial, their use often comes with significant health risks and ethical concerns within the sporting community.