Drugs in Sport: Science and Detection

Seldom does a day go by without the topic of drugs in sport being mentioned somewhere in the media. Athletes, sports administrators, scientists and the general public all take an interest in this controversial subject. The issues involved are complex and range from an understanding of which drugs are banned, and why, to how specific drugs are detected. Whilst the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) through publications and its web site provides much knowledge, information is lacking on the technical aspects of drugs in sport - for example, what drugs do what and what methods are used to detect various classes of drugs. This book, by two authors who have over forty years combined experience and are recognised experts in this field, provides a single source of technical information on drugs in sport. It starts with a brief history before going on to describe why drugs are banned and by whom, sample collection, which drugs are banned, effects on performance, misuse of pharmaceuticals and designer drugs, metabolism as the key to detection, detection methods, and relevant developments in medicine and biology. It finishes with a chapter on future challenges.