[Banned performance enhancing ergogenic aids in children and adolescent athletes].
Ergogenic aids (from the Greek, ergon, meaning work) are ingested to enhance energy utilization in athletes. In recent years there has been an increase in youth participating in competitive sports and, as a consequence, a concomitant increase in the usage of performance enhancing substances. Ergogenic aid usage could influence, or its efficiency could be influenced, during this period of rapid growth and sexual maturation, and by the marked hormonal fluctuations. Ephedra alkaloids; pain relief medications, diuretics, anabolic steroids and protein hormones are among the ergogenic aids used by young athletes. While there is no scientific evidence to support the usage of these agents for enhancing performance in children and adolescents, using supra-physiological doses may be associated with undesired side effects.
Nemet
Dan
D
Child Health and Sports Center, Department of Pediatrics, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Eliakim
Alon
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000517:prevention & control*; D029789:Ephedra; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects; D013177:Sports
D000470:Alkaloids; D010936:Plant Extracts