Tests for Detecting Drugs in Sports

Detecting drugs in sports is a topic of great debate due to the inconclusive nature of current tests. All modern athletes at a professional standard are required to take drug tests by the ruling body of the sport to prevent athletes having unnatural advantages over other competitors. The International Association of Athletics Foundation, commonly referred to as the IAAF and National Basketball Association, known as the NBA are examples of the ruling bodies which carry out drug testing.

  1. Anabolic Steroids

    • Anabolic Steroids are detected with tests on athletes which require a urine sample. Samples are then tested to measure the relative strength of testosterone to epitestosterone within the urine. If this ratio is too great, it is a strong indicator that the athlete has been using the performance enhancing drug. However, due to constantly fluctuating levels of testosterone and epitestosterone in the blood the results of this test do not offer conclusive results.

    Human Growth Hormone

    • Human Growth Hormones, commonly referred to as HGM are detected with the use of blood or urine tests. Samples can then be tested for molecular deposits of products created by the growth hormone. However, this measurement of products created by the growth hormone, not the growth hormone itself provides results which are often inconclusive.

    Erythropoietin

    • Erythropoietin, commonly referred to as EPO is detected with the use of blood or urine tests. Samples can then be tested for red blood cell concentration levels which can indicate use of the drug has taken place. However, similar to HGM, this process measures the products created by EPO, not EPO itself. This, along with the short period of time that the performance enhancing drug remains in the body, provides results which are hard to obtain and often inconclusive.

    Recreational Drugs

    • Recreational drugs, such as cocaine and cannabis, are also drugs which are banned from use by athletes. These types of drugs are commonly detected with the use of blood or urine tests. Although these are not considered performance enhancing drugs, many sports' governing bodies consider the role of athletes as a role model just as an important criteria to fill.