31162 - Pharmacology in Sport

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the mechanism of action, the pharmacokinetics and the risk-benefit profile of drugs used in sports. Moreover, he/she knows the list of drugs and substances currently banned in sport, the toxic effects and the health risk of various drugs used as doping, the World Anti-Doping Code.

Course contents

Introduction to the use of drugs in Sport: principles of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and drug toxicity.

Drug abuse and doping: general aspects and epidemiology.

International regulatory aspects for doping : World Anti-Doping Code; Medicinal products subject to restrictions and their prescription in case of therapeutic use; request for exemption for therapeutic purposes; declaration of therapeutic use. The doping controls.

List of substances and medical practices considered doping.

Pharmaco-toxicological aspects of different classes of prohibited drugs:

S0 non approved drugs

S1 Anabolic agents: Anabolic androgenic steroids

S2 Peptide hormones: erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, growth hormone

S3 Beta 2-agonists

S4 Hormonal and metabolic modulators: aromatase inhibitors, selective estrogen receptor modulators, agents that modify the function of myostatin, insulins, PPAR-delta receptor agonists

S5 Diuretics and masking agents

S6 Stimulants: amphetamines, cocaine, ephedrine. Substances included in the monitoring program

S7 Narcotics: morphine, heroin, methadone

S8 Cannabinoids

S9 Glucocorticosteroids

Prohibited methods:

M1 enhancement of oxygen transfer

M2 chemical and physical manipulation

M3 gene doping

Prohibited substances in some sports:

P1 Alcohol

P2 Beta blockers

Doping and addiction

Doping and sudden/unexpected death syndrome

Readings/Bibliography

Ferrara S.D. – Doping Antidoping – Piccin, Padova 2004.

Mottran D.R. – Farmaci e sport – Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano 2003.

Teaching methods

Traditional. This course does not include laboratory training.

Assessment methods

The final test consists of an oral interview.The student will get a mark on the basis of his/her capacity to answer questions.

Teaching tools

Slides are usually used to enhance clarity during courses. The materials used will be uploaded to to the website https://iol.unibo.it

Username and password are reserved for students enrolled at the University of Bologna.

Office hours

See the website of Carmela Fimognari