IV drips, specifically infusions or injections of over 100 ml, are banned primarily in the context of sports and athletic competitions due to their potential for misuse related to performance enhancement and masking prohibited substances.
Reasons for the Ban on Large Volume IV Drips
Large volume IV drips (over 100 ml) are prohibited due to the following key reasons:
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Masking Prohibited Substances: IV drips can dilute the concentration of prohibited substances in an athlete's system, making them harder to detect during doping tests. This circumvents anti-doping efforts.
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Distorting Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) Values: The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) monitors an athlete's biological markers over time to detect changes that could indicate doping. IV drips can alter blood parameters, distorting the ABP and making it difficult to identify doping violations.
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Enhancing Athletic Performance: IV drips can increase plasma volume levels, leading to improved cardiovascular function and endurance. This gives athletes an unfair advantage.
Summary
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Masking Prohibited Substances | Dilutes prohibited substances, making detection difficult. |
| Distorting ABP Values | Alters blood parameters, hindering accurate doping detection through the Athlete Biological Passport. |
| Performance Enhancement | Increases plasma volume, improving cardiovascular function and endurance. |
Therefore, the ban on large volume IV drips aims to maintain fair competition and prevent the use of prohibited substances and methods in sports.
