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Substances: Blood doping

Blood doping is the administration of autologous, homologous or heterologous blood or red blood cell products of any origin, other than legitimate treatment.

Blood doping can occur when an athlete introduces additional blood to their natural blood volume or when other synthetic related blood products are used to increase red blood cell mass. An increased red blood cell mass improves that amount of oxygen the blood can carry to the body's muscles - therefore improving endurance performance.

Side effects

Any practice that involves adding blood to the body or taking blood out can pose a serious health risk. An athlete using their own blood may be at risk of bacterial infections and fatal reactions due to blood mislabelling. Other complications may include blood clots, stroke, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and shock.

An athlete who uses another person's blood also risks immune problems, fever and viral infections. The sharing of needles or blood can also lead to diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.

Elevating blood volume above natural levels is a dangerous practice as the blood becomes viscous and this causes the heart to work harder to pump the blood. Viscous blood is more prone to clotting. Unnaturally high red blood cell levels also increase the risk of heart attack, strokes and pulmonary embolism (lung clot). The risk is exacerbated by dehydration, which often occurs during endurance exercise.

Status in Sport

Blood doping is prohibited as a method for enhancing oxygen transfer under the World Anti-Doping Code 2007 Prohibited List (effective from 01/01/07).

 

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