Date of Award

1996

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Thomas Mohr

Keywords

Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Sports

Abstract

Ergogenic aids are substances purported to enhance athletic performance or improve exercise capacity. The use of ergogenic aids in sports is very widespread. It is common for a physical therapist working in a sports clinic to have patients that are either considering using or using ergogenic aids. Use of these aids by patients being treated might affect the patients' response to treatment. Therapists should be able to recognize the signs of ergogenic aid abuse in individuals under their care, and they should be aware of the side effects of these aids. It is also important for therapists to be able to educate and give accurate information to any of their patients who are contemplating ergogenic drug use. Whether ergogenic drugs can actually produce meaningful changes in performance is often debated. Some sources say that ergogenic drugs may potentially affect individual physiological components of performance. Yet other sources state that there is no evidence that nutritional supplements taken in excess of daily requirements will improve physical performance.

The purpose of this paper is to review some of the different ergogenic drugs, their purported effects on performance, and their potential adverse effects.

The procedure being used to perform this study will be a literature review of nutrition for the athlete, and various ergogenic aids. This paper will aid physical therapists in the awareness of ergogenic aid use, and give some information to pass on to their patients that may be interested in their use.

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