Banned substance's part three

    In previous installments of banned substances series, we have touched on Steroids and HGH. I covered the similarities and differences between both drugs that are more geared towards resistance training. Now, I'll flip the script and go with a drug that can enhance aerobic training: Blood doping or more specifically Erythropoietin or EPO for short. Much like steroids and HGH EPO does have medical benefits, however since this blog more focuses on athletic performance, we will look at that perspective. 

    Blood doping is artificially raising red blood cell production. Red blood cells carry a protein called hemoglobin that carries oxygen to working muscles. Having more oxygen increases the ability to exercise aerobically for longer and at higher intensity. It can be accomplished by blood transfusions and drugs. Blood transfusions can either be conducted autogous or homologous. Autogous is using your own blood to extract the red blood cells then inserting them back into your body. Homologous is using another person's blood (have to be same blood type) extracting the red blood cells then inserting them back in your body. EPO is the drug that stimulates red blood cells in the body. EPO is a naturally occurring element within the kidneys that does produce more red blood cells. Abusing the drug does indeed work (hence why athletes use the drug.... looking at your Lance Armstrong) It has been reported that through six weeks of treatment that aerobic capacity increased by 6%-8% and time to exhaustion increased by 17%. Some of the downfalls of taking EPO (besides that it is illegal) is that once EPO is injected the user cannot control red blood cell production which may cause the blood to thicken which in turn causes elevation in blood clotting, systolic blood pressure and in extreme cases stroke or death.

    

    To naturally increase red blood cell, count living or exercising in high altitude does the same thing. Elevation at 3900 feet causes immediate and long-term adaptations. The reduction of partial pressure of oxygen causes the body to work harder to perform the same exercise. Acute responses are increased cardiac output, increased heart rate. Longer or chronic adaptations through acclimatation (roughly 10-14 days) lead to lowered maximal heart rate, lowered cardiac output and decreased stroke volume. More red bloods cells are produced, capillary density of muscles is increased, and the mitochondria (key for Krebs cycle) are all increased. A rule of thumb for altitude is to "live high train low" meaning it is better to live at high altitude then train and lower levels of elevation so to train at higher intensities.