Beta Blockers

[Leftie]

At HTL's suggestion for a separate post......

Fred Blogs, a very good friend, takes beta blockers medication. Apparently these are banned substances for at least professional golfers.

His use of this medication, apart from helping with his condition, reduces anxiety and tremors and could be making him a better golfer.

Is Fred a cheat?

 

[medwayjon]

Surely if they are prescribed by a doc out of medical necessity it cant be cheating can it? That would be descrimination on medical grounds and what a can of worms that would open.

 

[Doh]

This depends if he is taking them for a medical condition and have been precribed by a doctor for that condition,then No

Or he is taking them for the effect of helping him feel calmer on the golf course,then yes

Will they make him a better golfer, No

What really makes a difference to people that cheat at sport using drugs, is the ability to train harder by cutting down recovery time.

Any drug that is taken just before a sport event may give them a feeling that they are performing better when indeed they are not.Its a false perseption

Take Cocaine or speed now the main reason some sports people take these drugs is to make them feel normal because of the results of a addictive life style.

 

[USER1999]

Casey Martin wasn't allowed a 'prescription' buggy was he? So why would beta blockers be any different?

 

[StuartD]

Surely if they are prescribed by a doc out of medical necessity it cant be cheating can it? That would be descrimination on medical grounds and what a can of worms that would open.

Does anybody remember Big Bill Werbeniuk a Canadian snooker player. He was prescirbed Beta blockers by his doctor to stop a nervous judder in his arm (it was an heredatory condition) Snooker authorities would not allow him to take them as they were a banned substance. He used to drink 10 pints to steady his hand before playing.

Neil Foulds (i thinjk that was his name) virtually gave up the game as he also was prescribed them by his doctor for a heart complaint.

 

[viscount17]

as far as I know 'Golf' has still not released their list of banned substances for general distribution, only the broad categories.

presumably, 'as we are all playing the same game', the same proscriptions apply in amateur golf as in professional so on that basis he should apply for a medical exemption before entering competition.

 

[Doh]

Beta Blockers are prescribed for a number of conditions they are used to treat high blood presure, angina and are known to aid recovery after a heart attack.

They also have the side effect of making you feel calm thus it being used for anxiety, it is when they are used for this reason that the dilemma comes in.

 

[Ken_A]

Can you really have drug cheats in golf? From my game I see that you need to have concentration for the whole of the round, you dont need to be fast and rushing about will make your game worse - thus the perfect drug would keep you a touch slower but make your brain more active and ensure your thought focas and muscle reactions where heightened - I dont think it will really happen. Anyone taking drugs for golf will not get all the results required to play well.

I do agree that all sports persons should be drug tested. But what exactley would you bann?

 

[TWM]

I have been on steroids since February (not the anabolic type). They gave me the feeling of being stronger than I really was so I could not understand why my golf game was so bad. I am tapering off now so the side effects are much less and I am beginning to realise just how weak I have become. I will be exercising to improve my strength over the Winter so maybe the golf will improve for next year.

 

[RGuk]

Is Fred a cheat?

Yes. I'm 100% on this. Any chemical substance that alters the body or mind for bad or good is not really on.
Unfortunately, even if you take these for good medical reasons (arrhythmia) then the side effect of messing with the body's natural reaction to stress/anxiety is altering your ability to perform.

I tried them once just to see what happened.....my golf was rubbish because I had no "desire" to perform. That's why I also never take them for going on stage.

 

[time_vans]

Due to various medical problems/conditions I take a hatful of tablets including beta blockers, most of which would see me banned from turning pro in any sport. The main side effect of beta blockers is a slower than normal heart rate....of great use if you are olympic shooter for example.....I would dispute they make you feel 'relaxed' external influences will still make you feel anxious. Is Fred a cheat ? ......no he has a legitimate reason to take the prescribed drug....there are somethings more important than golf ....i.e. prolonging your life.

 

[HTL]

I cant make my mind up, the `normal` person in me says no let him play and the Sports Scientist in me is screaming no way should he take them in play.

It is going to be very very interesting when the PGA have to decide rules such as this. Do you think that's why they are dragging their feet on this?????

 

[teetime72]

Due to various medical problems/conditions I take a hatful of tablets including beta blockers, most of which would see me banned from turning pro in any sport. The main side effect of beta blockers is a slower than normal heart rate....of great use if you are olympic shooter for example.....I would dispute they make you feel 'relaxed' external influences will still make you feel anxious. Is Fred a cheat ? ......no he has a legitimate reason to take the prescribed drug....there are somethings more important than golf ....i.e. prolonging your life.

I also take b/bs but occasionally miss them for a month
and I can assure anyone they make not the slightest difference to the game of golf.

On tablets or not,I still get nervous on the 1st tee in front of strangers,still drive the same distance,fluff shots,miss putts,etc.

If only they did improve your game.

I`d double the dose.

 

[Ken_A]

I was pondering this for ages and never posted I suppose this is a good time to ask.

Does the taking of vitamin B or caffene count as cheating -thus in taking certain orange 'sport' drinks or some multi vitimins am I a cheat?

 

[HTL]

Caffeine is a banned substance in loads of sports but only in large doses. However, it gets taken off - put back so often its hard to keep track.

Caffeine I would think to have a negative affect on golf.

Vitamin B, nope take it all you like.

 

[theeaglehunter]

You can certainly drink caffine drinks. The England rugby and football teams, as well as all domestic professionals drink them as soon as they are finished playing. The RFU and FA endorse lucozade sport, along with the netball ands hockey associations I think.

 

[Ken_A]

HTL and Eaglehunter you are both correct these are legal and endorsed - but caffeine does provide artificial stimulus and these drinks do help me when out and playing in the sun carrying and coming to the end of a good round. In my mind they are drugs as they are manufactured boost performance whereas, I find a banana great for energy - but they are not artificially produced.

Do you see my point- where do you start and end with the classification of drugs, especially performance enhancing drugs.

 

[HTL]

Do you see my point- where do you start and end with the classification of drugs, especially performance enhancing drugs.

This is so hard to do and I spend hours every week debating it with some of my students. eg why are some stimulants illegal and others not, why are some steroids banned and some not etc. Its a mind field!!! Don't go in there! (yes this is HTL chickening out)

 

[DCB]

Eventually the Tours will have to publish a list (and maintain the list) of what is considered the substances that are illegal in Tour golf. Until that time it would appear to be fair game for anyone to take anything.

I do hope that at Tour level they get their house in order to stop any abuse of these substances.

 

[USER1999]

Bananas, ban bananas. Nasty yellow things, taste horrible. Yuk. No one ever throws the skins in the bin. Chuck it in the rough, it's biodegradeable. Yeah, in 6 months. Ban them.