e body, usually 1 to 7 days before a high endurance event. Creating a surplus of red blood cells. If done correctly, this process can increase the hemoglobin level and red blood cell count by up to 20%. With these extra blood cells, the athletes blood can carry more oxygen to the muscles. This could theoretically result in more efficient functioning of the muscles and increase performance. Blood doping does have its drawbacks. If the blood used is not from the athlete but from a donor, there is the risk of transmission of hepatitis, AIDS, and other blood-borne diseases. Even if the athletes own blood is used, the risk of infection from the re-infusion procedure is always present. In addition, a large infusion of red blood cells (and resulting increase in cellular concentration) could increase blood viscosity and bring about a decrease in cardiac output, a decrease in blood flow velocity, and a reduction in peripheral oxygen content all of which would reduce aerobic capacity. (Profs Invention to Train Athletes While They Sleep." Blood Doping. http://spot.colorado.edu./~gamow/bedpr.html (9 Mar. 1997). This may cause the heart to work two hard. The human heart was not designed to pump this thickened blood throughout the body and, therefore, could lead to a multitude of problems. Some of the problems that can arise from a blood transfusion are phlebitis, septicemia, hyperviscosity syndrome (including intravascular clotting, heart failure and potential death), bacterial infections, and air/clot embolisms. Even more frightening is the list of diseases that can be contracted through homologous transfusions. They include hepatitis, AIDS, malaria, CMV, and transfusion reactions (characterized by fever, urticaria, and possibly anaphylactic shock). Because of these reactions, among others, homologous blood transfusions are highly discouraged( Blood Doping. http://www3.nando.net/newsroom/sports/oth/1996/oth/mor/feat/archive/031296/mor44236.html ) ...
