Top 10 doping techniques used by athletes 1. Steroids simulate testosterone's muscle-building abilities, and are taken orally or injected. Stimulates production of red blood cells, improving the blood's ability to carry oxygen, which is especially attractive to those involved in endurance sports, like Tour de France cyclists. No test is available yet. Again, no test is used yet.
Caffeine can raise the metabolic level, body temperature, blood pressure and blood sugar level.
Athletes use stimulants in an attempt to increase alertness, reduce tiredness, and increase their competitiveness and aggressiveness. While not a performance-enhancer, these drugs may be used to mask pain, allowing athletes to compete when they might otherwise sideline themselves. Enables rapid weight loss, may be used to dilute urine and so flush out traces of banned substances. Antagonists are used to treat types of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and decreasing heart rate. In sports such as shooting or archery, beta-blockers could be used to steady the nerves and therefore the hands.