Each year athlete's ability to perform seems to increase by leaps and bounds. Some reasons for this can be attributed to better training methods, better conditioning techniques, and better over all health of the athlete. While most situations involve one or more of the previously scenarios, some athletes always seem to take it to a step further. They engage in a process called blood doping. This procedure does increase physical performance and athletic ability, but potentially may do more harm than good.

For purpose of emphasis and understanding, some background information is needed to fully understand exactly what blood doping can do for an individual. In order for muscles to perform, they need a ready supply of oxygen. During high intensity exercise, oxygen is depleted and the body can not get enough oxygen to the muscle in order for them to perform their optimal potential. This lack of ability to get oxygen to the muscle is called oxygen debt and results in lactic acid being formed. Lactic acid is a waste product of anaerobic cellular respiration within the muscle tissue, which can cause muscle sourness that, usually, is felt after a hard or long workout. Fatigue usually sets

Although blood doping is risky, it has some positive effects. Blood doping also has been proven to be advantageous for heat acclimated athletes, aiding in thermoregulation. The athletes that are used to the heat can get help maintaining a natural body heat different from the heat of the environment. In addition, blood doping is similar to other methods of raising red blood cell volume. Training at a high altitude will have the same effect. Also, the High Altitude Bed is the same. Since it is legal, safe and natural, the mentioned procedure of red blood cell enhancement it has ironically gained the name Holistic Blood Doping. Blood doping is not inducing a drug for physical enhancement into your system. It is pumping your own blood into your own system, and in my opinion, it is harmful if monitored by a trained professional.

There is also several other negative factors related to blood doping. It is said that any procedure that involves taking the blood out and putting it back in can be a serous health risk. The transfusion can result in bacterial infections, fatal reactions due to blood mislabeling stroke, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and blood clots. These health problems are very dangerous and are the reason why blood doping is banned. Proof that the procedure works is not etched in stone. I

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 896
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)