Special foods and drugs have been used in work and sport

Special foods and drugs have been used in work and sport in order to combat the fatigue which limits performance. In prolonged hard work supplies of nutrients normally stored in the muscles, blood and liver are consumed and work capacity is gradually diminished until exhaustion occurs. Addition of food substances before critical levels are reached enables activity to be extended.Drugs may act to improve performance or to hasten recovery from fatigue in many ways:

1. Mobilize stored energy substances.

2. Increase the strength of contraction of skeletal muscle fibers.

3. Increase the power of the heart to eject blood.

4. Increase circulation and facilitate the transport of fuel and waste.

5. Counteract depressant action of fatigue substances.

6. Stimulate the central nervous system so as to forestall the sensation of fatigue.

In connection with the last item, the sensation of fatigue is a normal safeguard which serves to prevent severe displacement of the homeostatic equilibria and to guard against injury to the organs which are under the stress of the activity. Drugs which delay the sensation of fatigue, therefore, are potent tally dangerous and a re justified only in extreme emergencies or while the individual is under the care of a physician. Certainly no athletic performance falls under this emergency classification.