[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Doping

[Andrew MacIan]

Greetings from Andrew!

"No pain...."
--- davewitley <dfrankiswork at netscape.net> wrote:
{Snip} of my capsule description of HGF/EPO (ab)use in
athletics.

> > 
> Yes, but can they lift more because of it?

Oh, yes.  HGF increases both the mass and reaction
time in the slow twitch muscles.  Think about how you
lock out a snatch:  You have to swing the bar over
your head and lock your arms whilst simultaneously
performing a squat, almost to the point that you're
sitting on the mat.  Then, without moving your arms,
you have to stand up and lock out your knees. 
Obviously, the more muscle mass you have, the more
mass can be loaded on the bar.  Less obviously, the
more your total mass, the more counter-balance you
have  when you're moving the bar. This is why the best
ultra-class lifters look like Alexyev or Bonk.

>  Do they
> have more 
> stamina?  

Definitely, since RBCs are the carriers of O_2 and
waste; the more you have, the more efficiently your
metabolism functions.  EPO 'forces' (influences,
really) the formation of RBCs from stem cells.  Thus,
if you 'dope' with EPO for the last three or so weeks
before you compete, you have a tangible edge.

> Has anyone done a double blind or whatever
> to find out?

Yes, both in terms of doping and in treatment
regimens.  HGF has been known in Olympic/NCAA lifting
for the last 20+ years.  EPO, being a recent product
from Amgen (and its licensees), has only been tested
for in the last five years or so.

Citations to the trials should be on MEDLINE, if
you're interested. 

Oh, by the way....ever wonder why a *lot* of athletes
dye their hair?  It's another effort to hide doping
and illicit drug use.  Patently, the hair and scalp
are compromised for tests, but it also seems that
there is a systemic effect as well, so that
blood/urine specimens are also compromised.  Or so the
'theory' says.

Science marches on!

Cheers,

Drieux

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