Module Description
Half of the module will focus on the use of legal nutritional supplements (ergogenic aids) and half on banned performance-enhancing drugs. Particular attention will be paid to the mechanisms of how these chemicals work, the methods by which their efficacy can be tested and the performance analysis of these results.
Aims
The aim of the module is to enable students to analyse critically the latest developments in nutritional and biochemical manipulations of human performance. Do drugs work and why? What nutritional supplements are optimal for what kind of performance?
Learning Outcomes
To pass this module students will need to be able to:
1. discuss the role of nutrition and legal and illegal ergogenic aids in affecting sporting performance;
2. demonstrate competence in the critical analysis of relevant experimental data;
3. demonstrate competence in written communication.
Syllabus
Seminar 1 – Introduction (no assessment)
Seminar 2 – Paper on banned anabolic steroids
Seminar 3 – Paper on banned blood boosters
Seminar 4 – Paper on banned stimulants
Seminar 5 – Anti Doping Agency report (e.g. Lance Armstrong or Russia)
Seminar 6 – Paper on buffers (citrate/bicarbonate)
Seminar 7 – Paper on permitted anabolic agents (e.g. creatine, HMB)
Seminar 8 – Other permitted ergogenic aids (e.g. beetroot juice)
Seminar 9 – Nutrition report and/or guidelines
Seminar 10 – Discussion of papers for student essay topics (no assessment)
(note seminar titles are not fixed and subject to change if a "hot topic" arises during the course of the module).
Half of the module will focus on the use of legal nutritional supplements (ergogenic aids) and half on banned performance-enhancing drugs. Particular attention will be paid to the mechanisms of how these chemicals work, the methods by which their efficacy can be tested and the performance analysis of these results.
Aims
The aim of the module is to enable students to analyse critically the latest developments in nutritional and biochemical manipulations of human performance. Do drugs work and why? What nutritional supplements are optimal for what kind of performance?
Learning Outcomes
To pass this module students will need to be able to:
1. discuss the role of nutrition and legal and illegal ergogenic aids in affecting sporting performance;
2. demonstrate competence in the critical analysis of relevant experimental data;
3. demonstrate competence in written communication.
Syllabus
Seminar 1 – Introduction (no assessment)
Seminar 2 – Paper on banned anabolic steroids
Seminar 3 – Paper on banned blood boosters
Seminar 4 – Paper on banned stimulants
Seminar 5 – Anti Doping Agency report (e.g. Lance Armstrong or Russia)
Seminar 6 – Paper on buffers (citrate/bicarbonate)
Seminar 7 – Paper on permitted anabolic agents (e.g. creatine, HMB)
Seminar 8 – Other permitted ergogenic aids (e.g. beetroot juice)
Seminar 9 – Nutrition report and/or guidelines
Seminar 10 – Discussion of papers for student essay topics (no assessment)
(note seminar titles are not fixed and subject to change if a "hot topic" arises during the course of the module).