Abstract This paper discusses how Sildenafil, or Viagra, has been gaining popularity among athletes to enhance their athletic performance. The paper explains the mechanisms involved in exercise and outlines the effects of Viagra on exercise, lung capacity and hemodynamics. The paper also explores the physiologic effects of Viagra and its therapeutic uses and shows why the banning and testing of Viagra is a complex issue. The paper is of the opinion that the drug's potential as a doping agent must not be ignored.
Outline:
Doping and the Popularity of Viagra as a Sports Supplement
The Physiology of Exercise
The Physiologic Effects of Viagra and its Therapeutic Uses
The Effects of Viagra on Exercise, Lung Capacity, and Hemodynamics
The Controversy of Viagra and Sports
From the Paper "Throughout history, athletes of various sports such as bicycling, racing, sprinting, and weightlifting, have taken substances that help them enhance their performance and endurance. Initially, the practice of doping was an indiscreet secret, and is currently gaining much attention from authorities. According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), doping is defined as the use or attempted use, or possession of a prohibited substance in order to enhance sports performance, but violates the spirit of the sport (WADA, 2008). There are numerous drugs that have been abused by athletes. Stimulants are known to increase alertness, competitiveness, and aggressiveness. Substances such as amphetamines and cocaine are used as a sports supplement to enhance the athlete's endurances, sharpen reflexes, and reduce tiredness (FIFA.com, 2008)."
A comparison of the reactions of the Major League Baseball Players' Associations and the National Football League Players' Association's to policies of steroid testing.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 7 sources, 2005, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper discusses the reaction of the players' unions of the MLB, the NBA and the NFL with regards to policies for testing of steroids on professional athletes. It shows the difference between the Major League Baseball Players' Associations strong opposition to any anti-doping measures and the willingness of the National Football League Players' Association's willingness to comply with tougher steroid testing measures.
From the Paper "Anti-Doping Measures and Professional Sports League Players' Unions Professional sports has become more competitive than ever before with many hopeful young men competing at the high school and collegiate levels with the dream of eventually becoming a professional athlete and enjoying all of the fame and fortune that their favorite sports heroes enjoy. However, because of the fierceness of the competition and the limited number of slots available on professional sports team rosters, most of these young men will never realize their dream and the ones who are fortunate enough to get a taste of that sweet dream know that it may be only momentary unless they manage to stay at the top of their game and ahead of the competition curve. The high level of vulnerability of professional athletic careers and the unrelenting competition may be what drives some professional athletes to seek to gain and edge by using steroids."
This paper explores the risks of using the artificial drug supplements, Creatine and Androstenedione, which are believed to have athletic enhancing properties.
2,920 words (approx. 11.7 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 86.95
Abstract This paper discusses that 60 percent of athletes in high school and college sports use artificial supplements to gain weight mass and to become stronger faster. After his research, the author believes firmly that these supplements should be banned from athletics all together. The paper states that fans don?t care as long as they are entertained and are having fun at games. Coaches just want their teams to be successful, which sometimes includes doing other forms of training or aids to help the athletes.
From the Paper "According to this article, Creatine is a naturally occurring amino acid in everyone's body. It is taken to significantly enhance reserves in your muscle fuel tank, allowing you to work out longer and more intensely. Creatine monohydrate, the most common form of creatine, is commercially available as powder, gum, candy, tablets, and gel. It is available in pure form or combined with other dietary supplements (e.g. carbohydrates, amino acids, electrolytes, and/or herbal preparations). There is no evidence to show that it's anabolic--that is, that it's going to build muscle in and of itself. But it could lead to modest muscle gain because it allows you to work out harder. Androstenedione is a sex steroid hormone, which is converted in your body to testosterone."
Abstract In this paper the author begins by making a direct comparison to the American Hymn, Amazing Grace, and Jonathan Kozol's profoundly disturbing profile of the lives of the children of Mott Haven, in the South Bronx. The author moves on to examine Kozol's book in depth and his findings regarding the children of the South Bronx. He concludes by comparing the "Children of Plenty" with what he regards as the "throwaways", the children who he considers have nothing and no future.
From the paper:
?Like children everywhere, they vacillate between child-like innocence and alarmingly grown-up insights; but this is not the suburban version of ?growing up too fast;? they have seen junkies shooting up in the hallways of their buildings, gang members bagging dope and loading guns on the fire escape. Death is accepted as the passage to a better place. ?
Abstract A transistor is a device used for controlling one electrical signal with another. The name "transistor" came from combining the words "transfer" and "resistor" and the name tells how the device works. This paper describes one type of transistor called a Metal Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MESFET), which is made by building layers on top of each other and doping the semiconductor material to a profile. The paper includes diagrams and figures.
From the Paper "While MESFET integrated circuits have become accepted in many high frequency applications, they have certain limitations. For power amplifiers used in digital systems it is important to have a linear signal - one that is not distorted or altered when amplified (RF Micro Devices, 2000). GaAs MESFET devices cannot meet the high linearity performance standards without sacrificing other performance standards. Also, GaAs MESFET amplifiers usually require both a positive and a negative power supply, which requires the inclusion of additional components or circuitry, which means an increase in the size and complexity of the device. Also, the linear structure of GaAs MESFET devices hinders the ability to shrink the device and so enhance manufacturing yields and reduce costs."
Abstract This paper studies various forms of media to illustrate the use of three fallacies: 1) appeal to fear; 2) personal attack; and 3) slippery slope. The paper uses examples from a print advertisement, a website and an interview. The examples of the fallacies are illustrated along with an argument of why they might be being used by the speaker.
Tags: Lance Armstrong, Tour de France, Donald Rumsfeld, Hugo Chavez, Pat Robertson, Venezuela, President Bush, war, assassination, doping, religious right
Abstract This paper examines the record of the state sponsored Olympic program of East Germany. The author describes the administration of the program by the Secret Police.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine the record of the state-sponsored Olympics program of East Germany also called the German Democratic Republic DDR in German from ... through the fall of the Berlin Wall in ... . The plan of the research will be to set forth ..."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed history of ancient and modern Olympic games. The paper includes details of the creating of the winter Olympics, discusses the origins of the modern Olympics and the people behind the movement and looks at the current state of the Olympics.
Tags: ancient games, modern games, greece, coupertin, IOC, olympic ideals, olympic torch, olympic oath, doping
Abstract This paper reviews the debate surrounding the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes. This paper explores three areas of controversy: the claims that marijuana is "dangerous and addictive," that marijuana is a "gateway" drug; and that decriminalization would lead to increased use.
From the Paper "The Drug Enforcement Administration (Marijuana, the Facts, 2001) argues, among other things, that marijuana leads to crime. To support this assertion they claim that 40% of males arrested for crimes have marijuana in their blood at the time of arrest. However, this fact does not show any causal relationship. The same males may also have tested positive for alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, but we do not claim these substances "cause" crime. Correlated information does not prove cause. The same source also states that THC content in marijuana has risen dramatically in recent years, thus, making it more dangerous. But this is really an argument for legislation to legalize. The THC content could be controlled, as alcohol is controlled in beer, wine, and whiskey, if marijuana were legal. Although the "drug warriors" claim that marijuana is "dangerous and addictive," no one has ever died from using it, and there is no known level where an overdose could happen. "
Abstract This paper describes the history of marijuana use, particularly in America. Additionally, the cultivation, sale and government response to marijuana are discussed. The author argues that because marijuana use is so widespread, the drug should be legalized.
From the Paper "The discovery of marijuana dates back to 10,000 B.C. The Chinese used the plant to make clothing and fabric. Later they realized the plants pain reliving abilities and began using it medicinally. Since its discovery the popularity of marijuana has increased significantly. It has become the most commonly used drug in the world. It is estimated that more than 1.5 billion people have tried marijuana before. (Shalala, 1995, p.10) America's fascination with the drug came about in the early 1900's. Through the times it gained popularity through word of mouth, the entertainment industry, and the media. Marijuana has deeply imbedded roots in our culture and continues to stand the test of time by being the most widely used illegal drug in America.
Marijuana Use in America began in the early 1900's. Though marijuana has existed for thousands of years, Mexican immigrant workers first introduced it into America in the Midwest. During the beginning of the 20th century, when a large number of Mexicans entered this country, marijuana came with them."
Abstract During the 1960s it is estimated that nearly 45 million Americans used marijuana at least once. This paper attempts to determine why, with so many people using the drug, the fight for legalization in the 1970s was so unsuccessful. It looks at how between the public's mistrust in the government due to Vietnam and political scandals, the lack of evidence that marijuana had any significant harms and the advent of NORML (National Organization For Reform Of Marijuana Laws) and other advocacy groups the marijuana movement, by all estimates should have had greater success. In order to determine the reason for its unsuccessful conclusion, the paper closely examines the public debate over marijuana during the 1970s, the effects NORML had on public sentiment and President Nixon and President Carter's stance on marijuana and their relationships with the reform movement.
From the Paper "Until the 1960's most Americans listened to the propaganda the government stated about the harms of marijuana. Much of this propaganda aimed at maintaining the drug as one used by marginalized individuals that made them aggressive and crazy. The ad campaigns of the 1920's through the 1950's turned middle class America avidly against the drug. As the times changed so did many people's attitudes. By the time the 1960's approached, a new era of young people began to emerge. This group was much more free thinking and skeptical of the government. Unlike the parents of many 1960's youth, who had been through a depression and a World War, this new generation was less reliant on government assistance and information. "
