DOPING

Abstract

The use of performance-enhancing drugs and methods has been known for centuries. Man always tried to expand his given natural limits. In sport, these practices are called 'doping' and are forbidden by the rules. Today, doping is the advertent or inadvertent use of substances of forbidden classes or of forbidden methods defined by the actual doping list. This doping list is a so-called 'open' list that does not mention all substances within a forbidden class, but only some examples. This imposes high demands on physicians treating athletes. The Commission against Doping of the Swiss Sports Federation helps in case of questions about medical treatments. The Swiss Federation of Sports Medicine confirmed lately its fight against doping with a formal position paper.