EPO
EPO is a drug that was developed in the late 1980’s to increase the aerobic potential by injecting erythropoietin a hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells. EPO was undetectable until 2000 leaving many wondering who may or may not have used this drug. The drug increases the body’s natural production of red blood cells, with the increase of these cells the body can transport oxygen to the body faster allowing the human body to work harder. This is especially helpful to cyclists who sit on a bike pedaling as fasts as they can to keep up with the pack and to sprint ahead at the end or at a strategic point to win the race of the stage. The danger of using EPO is that the athlete may become dependent on the drug to create red blood cells and may lose the ability to naturally produce the cells.(Bike Pure)
Blood Doping
Blood doping is a method of doping that also increases the number of red blood cells that the body has at any given time. The types of blood doping are blood transfusions and injecting synthetic oxygen carries into the body.(McLean) Blood transfusion is the more common type of blood doping. A cyclist will take out some of their own blood when the body is fresh and then inject it again when trying to increase recovery rate or when they are about to enter a race.(Bike Pure) The benefit of the blood transfusion is the same as EPO is the increased rate that oxygen can be moved around the body and to the muscles. The other type of blood doping is synthetic oxygen carries such as HBOC’s and PFC’s.(McLean) These act much like real blood cells they carry oxygen to the cells and improve the body’s performance.The danger of blood doping can seriously affect the health of an individual. If the blood is poorly stored it can be thicker than normal blood put serious strain on the heart. Poorly stored blood can also cause blood clots which may lead to death if they are serious enough. In the worst case the blood can be frozen when re-injected and the body and reject the blood and cause harm the individuals circulatory system.(Bike Pure)
Amphetamines
Amphetamines are a rarely used type of stimulant that has been used by cyclists to increase their performance and try to gain a competitive edge in a race. Amphetamines copy the effect that adrenaline has on the body, cause certain systems to increase activity and make the user feel more alert, have more energy, and feel less tired.(Fiedler) The danger of taking amphetamines is the toxicity of an excess of adrenaline and in a combination of heat dehydration and stress using this drug can lead to death. In 1967 this was just the case for cyclist Tom Simpson. (Fiedler) This is type of doping has not been seen since 1982 because it is an easily identified substance and it is illegal in many counties.(Fiedler)
Human Growth Hormone
Human Growth Hormone is designed to increase the power and speed of the body’s muscles. The hormone works by stimulating the growth of cells which aids in increasing muscle mass and in recovery. This increased power allows a cyclist to pedal faster and longer than his competitors giving him an advantage. The biggest problem with HGH is that it is not test for efficiently. (Bike Pure) There are many ways for cyclists to get around the test such as having others pee for them or using other substances that cover the hormone in tests. Abusive use of HGH can lead to thickening of bones, swelling of hands and feet, and increased organ growth.(Bike Pure)
Steroids
Steroids are the most common form of doping in cycling. Steroids are an entire family of drugs that increase the performance of the human body. Steroids can be pills, be injected or taken through the skin.(Fiedler) Steroids usually increase the amount of testosterone in the human body allowing it to grow more red cells and muscles to grow faster and recover quicker. The dangers of using steroids are kidney damage, premature baldness, shrinking of testicles, and possible impotence.(Bike Pure) Six months is the usual time that steroids will stay in one’s system and is easily detectable in a urine test.(Fiedler)