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Cognitive Doping

Doping is a means of gaining some form advantage in the context of sport using means that are deemed unfair, harmful or against the spirit of sport.

Doping describes the use of certain banned drugs like EPO (Erythropoietin) or banned practices like blood doping in order to gain a competitive advantage. Since 1999 WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) have been responsible for producing a list of banned substances and enforcing the ban with a comprehensive testing programme.

Cognitive Doping refers to neuroenhancement techniques including pharmacological and brain stimulation techniques. Currently some of these techniques are banned (but not necessarily for their cognitive enhancement effects) and the legitimacy of others is being discussed by policy makers, sports ethicists and governing bodies.

Although advantages in sport are mainly thought to derive from certain physical capacities and skills, all sports test mental capacities such as concentration, reaction time, motivation, focus and self-control.

Some specific sports, such as target shooting, snooker and darts test very fine motor skills. They require athletes to perform discrete precise actions.

Victory in such sports can depend directly on a competitor’s ability to focus, concentrate, eliminate distractions and manage the impact of their thoughts and emotions on enacting motor skills.

Mental failings in sport

Two well established phenomenon testify to the important role of mental capacities in sport.

Choking and The Yips describe poor performance specifically attributable to some form of mental deficiency.

Choking usually refers to a failure to perform at a specific crucial point in a contest. The assumption is that the athletes has the ability to perform, but fails to do so because some mental failing such as a failure in confidence or fear.

The Yips refers to a phenomenon where an athlete is unable to execute a fine closed motor skill such as throwing a dart, putting in golf or place kicking in rugby. It may manifest itself differently in different individuals but may consist in not being able to let go of a dart or ball or swing the club. The decisive flaw is mental not physical.

Cognitive enhancement

Cognitive enhancement, at least in principle, is distinct from improvement in performance brought about by therapeutic effects of substances. If an athlete has depressive symptoms, their performance may be effected. Medication might improve the symptoms and have the added effect of improving performance. Cognitive enhancers directly target performance y improving mental capacities. The use of the technology before certain tasks or performances (such as sport) is commonly referred to as Neuropriming - a way of preparing (enhancing) the brain for a task.

Cognitive Enhancer


 *  Pharmaceutical 

Pharmaceutical cognitive enhancers are a range of (pharmacological) substances which can improve cognitive abilities. Like many of the psychical performance enhancers, they were developed and used for medical purposes such as treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Two of the most well-known cognitive enhancers are methylphenidate or (Ritalin) and modafinil (Provigil).

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a popular treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and improves concentration alertness and attention. It works by blocking the re-uptake of dopamine and increases the release of dopamine and noradrenaline. Its cognitive enhancement properties make it popular with students wishing to improve their academic grades.

Modafinil (Provigil) is associated with treating different sleep related problems. There is some evidence that it improves learning, executive functioning and attention.

Methylphenidate and Modafinil appear on WADA’s 2018 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods. They are classified as stimulants and are prohibited in-competition. Using them (or testing positive for them) during competition constitutes a doping violation and may lead to a ban.

At the moment it seems that the substances are banned for their stimulative properties rather than their cognitive enhancement properties.

Methylphenidate and TUE (therapeutic use exemption) there is a concern about the increase in TUE's for Ritalin among major league baseball players .


 *  Brain Stimulation Techniques 

There are two types of brain stimulation techniques that may impact sport performance.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) – uses an electromagnetic field to stimulate activity in brain cells. TMS works on connected areas of the brain. The method uses a coil and a generator.

Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) - uses constant, low direct-current to stimulate brain cells. The method uses electrodes and a battery. Stimulators are portable and readily available on the internet.

Brain stimulation and Sporting performance

Temporary improvements include improved response time, delayed fatigue and suppression of tremor. These improvements persist for 20-60 minutes after stimulation.

Longer term improvements - skill acquisition. The technology allows athletes to develop skills under optimum brain conditions. Using the technology will allow athletes to develop better skill and technique which will improve long term performance.

Concerns

For cognitive enhancers to be included on the WADA banned list (and thereby considered doping) they must be meet two of the following criteria


 * potential to enhance performance,
 * may be harmful to the athlete
 * contravene the spirit of sport.

There is mixed evidence about the enhancement potential brain stimulation particularly for elite athletes.

There is mixed evidence about potential harmful effects of brain simulation and the use of stimulants. Risks and harms under careful medical supervision may not reflect the risks and harms faced by athletes who may abuse the methods.

Some of the side effects associated with TMS include the following -


 * Seizure (Rare)
 * Syncope (possible)
 * Transient headache, local pain, neck pain,toothache, paresthesia
 * Hearing changes

There is likely to be significant debate about whether their use contravenes the spirit of sport.

Detection is a problem. It may difficult if not impossible to test for brain stimulation.