Blood doping
Blood doping is a practice that involves boosting the number of red blood cells in the bloodstream in order to enhance athletic performance.
Pronunciation
- /blʌd doʊpɪŋ/
Etymology
The term "blood doping" is derived from the words "blood", referring to the vital liquid flowing in the bodies of many types of animals, and "doping", which is the use of banned athletic performance-enhancing drugs.
Definition
Blood doping is a method used by athletes to increase their red blood cell count, which allows the body to transport more oxygen to muscles and therefore increase stamina and performance. This can be done through various methods, including transfusion of blood that was removed and stored until needed, use of erythropoietin (EPO), and use of synthetic oxygen carriers.
Related Terms
- Erythropoietin: A hormone produced by the kidney that promotes the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow.
- Transfusion: The process of transferring blood or blood-based products from one person into the circulatory system of another.
- Hemoglobin: The protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.
- Hematocrit: The ratio of the volume of red cells to the total volume of blood.
Risks
Blood doping is not without risks. These include blood clots, heart disease, stroke, and infectious diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis if the blood used is infected. In addition, the use of EPO carries the risk of severe side effects, including high blood pressure, blood clots, and heart disease.
Legal Status
Blood doping is considered illegal by many sports organizations, including the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency. Athletes caught doping can face severe penalties, including disqualification and suspension from competition.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blood doping
- Wikipedia's article - Blood doping
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