Does doping improve sports performance?  Many well known drugs are on the WADA Prohibited List

The WADA Prohibited List is long and contains many well-known drugs. Do all these substances enhance sports performance? And are they safe? 

Bas Schouwenberg, clinical pharmacologist: 

‘In professional sports, it’s all about the details, so even a minimal increase in strength or endurance pays off. That’s why doping is tempting. The doping list includes substances that help you recover faster, improve endurance or muscle mass. There are also narcotics and masking agents, like diuretics, which dilute the doping in urine. Some substances are banned only in specific sports, like beta-blockers in biathlon (a combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting). They reduce shaking and lower heart rate, improving shooting accuracy. So, yes, sometimes doping does enhance performance.’ 

‘There’s little scientific research on doping in professional sports. Understandably, elite athletes are unlikely to participate in such studies. New doping substances are often experimental drugs, not yet tested in humans and potentially dangerous. At Radboudumc, we once conducted a study with type 2 diabetes patients on the drug Aicar, which was supposed to improve metabolism. It was already being called “the new EPO” in the world of pro cycling. Aicar never became a registered drug due to many side effects, but it’s on the doping list today.’ 

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