THE USE OF BLOOD DOPING AS AN ERGOGENIC AID

Blood doping has been achieved by either infusing red blood cells or b y administering the drug erythropoietin to artificially increase red b lood cell mass. Blood doping can improve an athlete's ability to perfo rm submaximal and maximal endurance exercise. In addition, blood dopin g can help reduce physiologic strain during exercise in the hear and p erhaps at altitude. Conversely, blood doping is associated with risks that can be serious and impair-athletic performance. These known risks are amplified by improper medical controls, as well as the interactio n between dehydration with exercise and environmental stress. Finally, the medical risks associated with blood doping have been estimated fr om carefully controlled research studies, and the medically unsupervis ed use of blood doping will increase these risks. It is the position o f the American College of Sports Medicine that any blood doping proced ure used in an attempt to improve athletic performance is unethical, u nfair, and exposes the athlete to unwarranted and potentially serious health risks.