Golf And Drug Testing, Needed Or Not?

 

Beta Blockers - Beta-blockers reduce the heart rate and the heart's output of blood. These drugs also may reduce the anxiety. Australian golfer Craig Parry charges that some golfers may be using beta blockers, drugs usually prescribed for cardiovascular disease, to steady their nerves. Actors, musicians, and public speakers often use beta blockers to ease performance anxiety. Parry says that the drug's calming effect could give golfers, who are under pressure to sink a winning putt, an unfair advantage. Golfer Nick Price, who took beta-blockers for high blood pressure, said that the medication was actually a detriment.

Human Growth Hormone - Effects of growth hormone on the tissues of the body can generally be described as anabolic (building up). Like most other protein hormones GH acts by interacting with a specific receptor on the surface of cells. Human growth hormones have been around for decades. In fact, professional athletes have been using human growth hormone products to achieve their peak performances since its original discovery in the 1960's.

Erythropoietin (EPO) - Should have no beneficial effect in golf. Its biggest application is in endurance sport, notably cycling and endurance running. It was links between EPO and the Festina team in the Tour de France which blew cycling apart. Stimulants would be counter-productive in golf.

One point to remember is that golf requires explosive bursts of power mixed with the utmost mental and physical composure, and it has not yet been demonstrated that there is any artificial stimulant which will help in both these departments at the same time.

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MILAN, Aug 1 - Italian professional golfer Alessandro Pissilli has failed a drugs test, the Italian Olympic Committee said on Wednesday.

Pissilli, who plays on the Italian pro tour, tested positive for finasteride during the Omnium National Championship near Turin on June 29 after a test was requested by the Italian Golf Federation.

Finasteride, most commonly used in treating hair loss, is not performance-enhancing but is on the banned list because it can be used as a masking agent.