OTC meds as performance enhancers?

So, what's your record or PB? I never kiss and tell.......

We have discussed this to a small degree on another thread. I myself use an asthma inhaler prior to workouts and races quite regularly. I feel the stimulant effect of the albuterol is noticeable. Several others on the forum who take it don't notice it. Is it an advantage..... possibly..... but this is not an OTC medication. When I cleared 40, Motrin became my best friend after a 3 day masters meet. 1/2 a double shot of Starbucks and I can make time slow down around me. Your real story is not in the OTC meds but the testosterone precursors and other more significant muscle building agents. Who really cares if someone takes nose spray before an event. John Smith I also have albuterol inhalers and have used them just prior to swimming some events, even when I didn't necessarily need to, and noticed the difference. Until about 5 ago, I also had cromolyn inhalers, and I noticed an even bigger boost from using those. My doctor since switched me to something else (I think asmanix or something like that). I've never competed while on it, but I do notice a huge boost when I run while on or shortly after finishing a doseage of prednosine. I had a bad case of bronchitis last fall, and the urgent care doctor gave me that with an antibiotic, and the next day I felt like superman. If someone close to a masters record did this, I think that could definitely give an edge. My times really aren't anywhere near competitive, so no matter what I do, it doesn't really matter. I'd need to attach a motor to my feet to really help.

My times really aren't anywhere near competitive, so no matter what I do, it doesn't really matter. I'd need to attach a motor to my feet to really help. And then the controversy would switch to, "Yeah! But what octane (fuel) ?"

It seems to me that the basic underlying principle is based on a trade-off between health and performance - the purpose of the rules is to allow people to be competitive without having to compromise their health. The problems crop up when the potential negative health effects are not that clear, or when small doses don't have a significant negative effect but larger doses do, and you have no way to determine whether the athlete is, for example, taking a cold medicine a couple times a year when they have a cold or all the time for the stimulants. Clearly eating regular food does not compromise your health so it isn't problematic. At the top levels one could argue that in some cases we've got to the point where the training itself has gone beyond the health promoting level, but that's a whole other can of worms that largely went down with the idea of the amateur athlete (which has been resurrected in the recent discussion of the "real masters swimmer" discussion).

We have discussed this to a small degree on another thread. I myself use an asthma inhaler prior to workouts and races quite regularly. I feel the stimulant effect of the albuterol is noticeable. Several others on the forum who take it don't notice it. Is it an advantage..... possibly..... but this is not an OTC medication. When I cleared 40, Motrin became my best friend after a 3 day masters meet. 1/2 a double shot of Starbucks and I can make time slow down around me. Your real story is not in the OTC meds but the testosterone precursors and other more significant muscle building agents. Who really cares if someone takes nose spray before an event. John Smith

Thanks to everyone who has responded to far. To clarify, I have no "premise" for this article. I am investigating what is going on in the world of recreational athletes relating to drug use, a world of which I am a part, and a world in which I have friends who are in every sector of the spectrum on this issue. I judge not at all. I do not think there is only one way to do things. I would be a pretty bad reporter if I did. There are no rules on drug use in the events most of us do, so where each individual draws the line is interesting. That is the story. So thanks again, and please send any other thoughts you may have.

I agree with John--write about the use of anabolic steroids, growth hormone, epo, etc. among Masters athletes. That's the real story. Individuals in their 40s, 50s, 60s who are using PEDs but have nothing to gain in terms of money or celebrity (relatively speaking).

Fine - tell me who uses what? What is the prevalence of steroid and EPO use? Do you know people who do it? Are you willing to go on record? You can e-mail me privately.

I normally chug down coffee and Red Bull (after trying to de-fizz as much as possible) about 20 minutes before my sprint events. I have recently (mostly) switched from coffee to green tea for the health benefits, and have reduced my caffeine consumption as a result. I have to admit that I'm hoping for a more noticeable boost in my next meet, since I shouldn't be so jaded to the effects of caffeine these days. A couple of you have mentioned Sudaphed. My wife is asleep 10 minutes after taking that for her allergies. How could it be a performance enhancer?

Fine - tell me who uses what? What is the prevalence of steroid and EPO use? Do you know people who do it? Are you willing to go on record? You can e-mail me privately. If I knew the answers then I would write the article myself.