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Performance 2012: Engaging the public with the physiology and pharmacology of sporting success
Author(s) -
Lewis David Ian,
Mills Dan,
Haigh Charlotte
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.29.10
Subject(s) - athletes , exhibition , ideal (ethics) , public relations , basketball , psychology , political science , medicine , law , history , archaeology , physical therapy
There is considerable public interest in sport, with a significant upsurge following major international competitions. The 2012 Olympic Games therefore provided an ideal opportunity to explore, with the public, biomedical aspects of sport. Our aim was to provide them with knowledge and understanding of exercise physiology and pharmacology, and promote debate on the ethical issues which may arise. Three events were organised. The first, targeted at young people gave them the opportunity to act as scientists in a mock drug testing laboratory followed by a debate on the use of gene doping in sport. The second, for individuals who provide sporting opportunities for young people, was a facilitated debate in which their roles and responsibilities towards their athletes was explored. The final event was a two‐day interactive exhibition for the general public which combined “have a go” sporting activities such as wheelchair basketball with those which focused more on the science or ethics of performance enhancement e.g. an interactive mind‐map where the public could contribute their ideas on the harms and benefits of gene doping. Performance 2012 successfully engaged the public with the physiology and pharmacology of performance enhancement in sport. All resources are available via the project website www.fbs.leeds.ac.uk/performance2012/index.php The support of the Wellcome Trust is gratefully acknowledged.