An ergogenic aid is a device, substance, or technique that can be used to increase athletic performance. Specifically, the word’s root “ergo” refers to “work” and “genic” means “producing”; thus, an ergogenic aid allows for the production of work. Ergogenic aids have been classified into many broad categories including nutritional, pharmacological, physiological, psychological, and biomechanical aids. Much of this book describes potential nutritional ergogenic aids, which are foods, nutrients, or dietary supplements that can improve performance. Pharmacological aids are those that are drug-related, such as steroids. Caffeine is a pharmacological ergogenic aid that can also be considered nutritional since it can be found in foods such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Physiological aids can often be classified as nutritional or pharmacological as well and are those substances that alter the body’s physiology in a manner favorable for athletic performance. Another example of a physiological ergogenic aid is the process of blood doping, in which blood is drawn at intervals for several weeks, then the red blood cells are reinfused prior to competition to increase the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. Psychological ergogenic aids include techniques such as imaging, in which the athlete mentally goes through the steps of his or her performance prior to beginning the competition or event. Biomechanical ergogenic aids are those that provide an advantage in movement. Commonly cited examples include light-weight shoes for runners and strong, flexible poles for pole-vaulting.
In sports medicine, the questionable and often harmful use of various substances in an attempt to enhance performance. Some of these materials — such as blood transfusions, anabolic steroids, amphetamines, amino acids, and human growth hormone are standard medicines approved for uses other than those intended by the athlete. Others are not only not indicated for any illness but may be harmful, especially when the amount of the active ingredient in the product is unknown. Included in this latter group are cyproheptadine, taken to increase appetite, strength, and, allegedly, testosterone production; ginseng; pangamic acid; octacosanol, a 28-carbon straight-chain alcohol obtained from wheat germ oil, the biological effects of which are unknown; guarana, prepared from the seeds of the Paulliania cupana tree, used for its alleged ability to increase energy; gamma-oryzanol, an isomer of oryzanol extracted from rice bran oil, allegedly useful in decreasing recovery time after exercise; proteolytic enzymes (e.g., chymotrypsin, trypsin-chymotrypsin, and papain), the safety and efficacy of which have not been established, especially when used with oral anticoagulants or by pregnant or lactating women; and bee pollen, which has shown no evidence of improving athletic performance.