With the Olympics starting this week—and the new accusations against cyclist Lance Armstrong—the use of performance-enhancing drugs among athletes is something we are sure to hear more about. In my Health and Fitness column in the Aiken Standard this week I write about sports doping, including examples of how and why athletes may engage in this practice.
You can learn more about sports doping from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the organization responsible for research, education, testing, and sanctioning US Olympic athletes. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is the international body responsible for preventing doping in worldwide competition.
Both sites provide an excellent overview of the substances used to improve performance, how they work, and the potential negative effects of use. These are great resources for athletes and sports fans who are interested in learning more about sports supplements and performance.
Dr Parr Says... 