CCSP Sports Pharmacology & Doping Control Questions and Answers Flashcards

Which analgesic mechanism do opioids use, and why are they regulated in sport?

Answer: Mu-opioid receptor agonism masking pain and impairing judgment

Opioids bind mu-receptors to reduce pain perception, but their use in competition raises health and safety concerns and some are prohibited in-competition.

A CCSP practitioner discovers an athlete is using anabolic-androgenic steroids. The first mandatory action is to:

Answer: Advise the athlete of health risks and report per applicable governing body rules

The practitioner has both an ethical duty to counsel the athlete and, depending on context, a reporting obligation under governing body regulations.

Which supplement is most commonly contaminated with substances that can cause a positive drug test in competitive athletes?

Answer: Prohormone-containing or poorly regulated muscle-building supplements

Muscle-building and prohormone supplements frequently contain undisclosed anabolic agents that cause inadvertent doping violations.

What is the legal status of caffeine under WADA rules for competitive athletes (as of 2025)?

Answer: Not prohibited but monitored in the Monitoring Program

Caffeine is currently on WADA's Monitoring Program, meaning it is not prohibited but data are collected to detect misuse patterns.

A player tests positive for a prohibited substance claiming contamination from a supplement. The strict liability principle means:

Answer: The athlete is responsible regardless of intent or knowledge

Strict liability in anti-doping means the presence of a prohibited substance triggers a violation regardless of how it entered the body.

Human growth hormone (HGH) is prohibited in sport primarily because it:

Answer: Promotes muscle hypertrophy, fat metabolism, and tissue repair providing performance advantages

HGH enhances lean mass, recovery, and fat utilization, giving athletes an unfair performance benefit, so it is prohibited at all times.