Performance enhancing drugs
I can name the major performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) and identify the positive and negative effects on sporting performance and performer lifestyle.
Performance enhancing drugs
I can name the major performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) and identify the positive and negative effects on sporting performance and performer lifestyle.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Anabolic steroids and growth hormones help to increase muscle mass and power output.
- Beta blockers reduce heart rate and help calm a performer but also cause an increased risk of heart attack.
- Diuretics help reduce body weight by increasing fluid loss which helps to meet weight categories.
- Narcotic analgesics mask pain to enable athletes to keep training/performing but risk damage to the underlying injury.
- EPO and blood doping all help with aerobic performance but put strain on the cardiovascular system.
Keywords
Anabolic steroids - synthetic hormones that promote muscle growth and enhance performance
Beta blockers - medications that reduce blood pressure by blocking the effects of adrenaline
Diuretics - medication that increases urine production, helping to remove excess fluid from the body
Narcotic analgesics - pain-relief drugs that act on the central nervous system, often opioids
Stimulants - substances that increase alertness, energy and activity by boosting nervous system activity
Common misconception
All performance enhancing drugs are illegal/banned/negative.
The use of some PEDs to enhance performance is perfectly acceptable. Many sportspeople use narcotic analgesics to get through an event or drink caffeine for its stimulating effect. WADA is responsible for determining which PEDs are allowed.
To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Performance enhancing drugs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 physical education lesson on: Performance enhancing drugs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 physical education lessons from the Physical training: injury, injury prevention and performance enhancing drugs unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
the drug allows you to recover quicker from heavy weight training
the drug keeps you calm and reduces adrenaline
the drug helps to improve cardiovascular endurance
the drug helps you to lose weight quickly before you perform
Exit quiz
6 Questions
synthetic hormones that promote muscle growth
medications that reduce heart rate
substances that increase alertness, energy and alertness
medication that increases urine production