The ability to excel in any sport is determined by superior attributes in skill or fitness which are usually event speciflc. The type of drug or ergogenic aid used to enhance performance nowadays is tailored to enhance those components of fitness which are considered limiting for a particular event.

In this presentation I will discuss the type of event, its physiological limitation and the type of drug most appropriate (or inappropriate) to enhance performance in that event.

All the above substances attempt to enhance performance by increasing muscle mass and contractility, increasing oxygen transport and energy substrate, and enhancing acidbase homeostasis. There are, however, situations where performance in an event may be improved by slowing function. This is the case in events such as archery and pistol shooting where beta sympathetic antagonists which slow heart rate and reduce tremor are used.

As ability to detect illegal substances has improved, the sophisticated sporting cheats have moved to the naturally occurring compounds such as testosterone, bicarbonate, blood doping, erythropoietin and Human Growth Hormone. The use of these endogenous compounds is the latest challenge to the sport drug agencies in their attempt to police drug abuse in sport.