PEDs in Sports: Lance Armstrong Scandal - Kinesiology PSK4U a1+

This essay explores the performance-enhancing drug (PED) abuse case surrounding cyclist Lance Armstrong, focusing on the substances he used, including erythropoietin (EPO), diuretics, and human growth hormones. It details their mechanisms, benefits, and side effects. The essay also covers the legal proceedings against Armstrong, the consequences for his career, and the broader impact on the athletic community. Armstrong's nonchalant perception of doping is discussed, along with the investigation by USADA, which led to him being stripped of titles and facing a lifetime ban. The conclusion emphasizes the unethical and dangerous nature of PED use in sports, highlighting the potential health risks and the importance of ethical conduct. Desklib provides students access to similar solved assignments and study resources.

Running head: PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS ABUSE
Performance Enhancing Drugs Abuse
Student’s name:
University:

1PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS ABUSE
Executive summary:
The following paper discusses and analyses the phenomenon of performance enhancing drug
abuse in the context of the scandalous doping controversy of Tour de France winner cyclist
Lance Armstrong. The discussion describes the incident with a brief definition of PEDs. It then
focuses on the drugs and substances used by Armstrong and discusses their mechanism, benefits
and perceived side effects. Further, it describes the legal proceedings against Armstrong and
their consequences on his career. It concludes with the impact of the incident on Armstrong’s
personal life as well as the athletic fraternity at large.

2PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS ABUSE
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Lance Armstrong scandal...........................................................................................................3
PEDs used by Armstrong and their side effects.........................................................................3
Erythropoietin or EPO........................................................................................................3
Dieuretics...........................................................................................................................4
Human Growth Hormones or somatotropin.......................................................................4
Armstrong’s perception of the issue..........................................................................................5
Investigation and consequences.................................................................................................5
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................5
References..................................................................................................................................6

3PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS ABUSE
Introduction
Performance enhancing drugs, also known as performance enhancing substances (PED)
are substances that are used to improve the performance in any activity such as sports or military
activities. The following paper will describe the PED abuse case of famous cyclist Lance
Armstrong and the consequence of the scandal. In the due course, the discussion will also take
note of the nature and side effects of the substances used by Armstrong.
Lance Armstrong scandal
Lance Armstrong, the former road racing cyclist, is widely known for his 8 consecutive
victories in Tour de France and bronze medal in 2000 Summer Olympics was accused of doping
by his teammates and several other sports journalists over the course of 1999 to 2012. In spite of
his repeated denial, he was convicted and banned from professional circuit. However, in 2013,
Armstrong finally confessed about his substance abuse in an Oprah Winfrey interview.
(McNees, 2015)
PEDs used by Armstrong and their side effects
PED Mode of action Benefits Side-effects
Erythropoieti
n or EPO
It is a glycoprotein cytokine
secreted by the kidney as a
response to cellular
hypoxia. (Nekoui & Blaise,
2017)
Stimulates red
blood corpuscles,
increases oxygen
absorption in
cellular structure
and
increases the chances
of blood clotting,
rapid increase of
blood pressure,
convulsions and even
liver or pancreatic

4PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS ABUSE
Increases
metabolism rate
and muscle
healing (Nekoui
& Blaise, 2017)
damage (Nekoui &
Blaise, 2017)
Dieuretics
Increases the production of
urine by blocking
reabsorption of sodium by
the nephron. (Malha &
Mann, 2016)
Relaxes blood
vessels and treat
high blood
pressure.
Also used for
congested heart
disease and
edema (Malha &
Mann, 2016)
Increased chances of
hypokalemia,
hyperkalemia,
metabolic acidosis,
hypercalcemia etc.
(Malha & Mann,
2016)
Human
Growth
Hormones or
somatotropin
Peptide hormone present in
human and other animals.
Stimulates bodily growth,
cell production and
regeneration (Mottram,
Mottram & Chester, 2018)
often used by
athletes for
enhancing body
mass and fast
recovery from
injuries and
muscle
fatigue(Mottram,
Mottram &
Chester, 2018)
Carpal tunnel
syndrome, increased
chance of heart
disease and cancerous
tumours, edema from
excessive fluid
retention and diabetes.
(Mottram, Mottram &
Chester, 2018)

5PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS ABUSE
Armstrong’s perception of the issue
Armstrong’s act has been heavily criticised by the cycling fraternity and athletic society
at large. However, Armstrong himself reacted nonchalantly towards the allegation, claiming he
did not see any harm in doping. (McNees, 2015)
Investigation and consequences
The formal investigation against Armstrong was initiated upon receiving the complaint
from SCA Promotions who paid a $5 million bonus upon his 6th victory of Tour de France and
reconsidered their decision after coming across allegations made by L.A. Confidential. The
Federal Justice Department conducted an investigation from 2010 to 2012 and finally dismissed
the case for lack of evidence.
Further, United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) accused Armstrong of substance
abuse and drug trafficking. Their investigation from 2011 to 2012 confirmed the allegation
supported by testimonials from his former teammates, officials from Belgium, France and the
USA and blood and urine samples from Lance. Consequently, Armstrong was stripped of all his
titles and awards since 1998, including his Olympic medal and m7 Tour de France titles. He also
received a lifetime ban from professional cycling issued by The International Cycling Union.
(Sparkes & Stewart, 2019)
Conclusion
Armstrong ultimately confessed his drug abuse practices saying that it was taking a toll
on his family, especially on his kids. The incident indicates a dangerous inclination among sports
persons to go to any extent for success. However, it is unethical as well as irresponsible, as the
side effects may cause fatal diseases and conditions, ruining their lives.

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References
Malha, L., & Mann, S. J. (2016). Loop diuretics in the treatment of hypertension. Current
hypertension reports, 18(4), 27.
McNees, M. J. (2015). Sport Philosophy Now: The Culture of Sports After the Lance Armstrong
Scandal. Rowman & Littlefield.
Mottram, D. R., Mottram, D. R., & Chester, N. (2018). Drugs in sport. Routledge.
Nekoui, A., & Blaise, G. (2017). Erythropoietin and nonhematopoietic effects. The American
journal of the medical sciences, 353(1), 76-81.
Sparkes, A. C., & Stewart, C. (2019). Stories as actors causing trouble in lives: a dialogical
narrative analysis of a competitive cyclist and the fall from grace of Lance Armstrong.
Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 1-18.