PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY OF SPORT

General Module

Course Sheet

Course code:

T22112

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020

Year of supply:

2022/2023

Type of Course:

Related/Supplementary

Degree:

Course of 1st Cycle Degree in PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SPORT SCIENCES

Disciplinary Sector:

Pharmacology

Is part of:

PRINCIPLES OF MEDICINE APPLIED TO MOTOR SCIENCES

Location:

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

GIULIANI Patricia

Cycle:

Second semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

Prerequisites:

Before taking the exam, the student must have passed the following exams: Human physiology; General pathology and Endocrinology

Objectives

The main goal of the course is to provide the knowledge aimed at training a professional figure able to understand :
- the principles of pharmacokinetics: main routes of drug administration, adsorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs;
- the principles of pharmacodynamics: the mechanisms of drug action, pharmacological interactions, drug effects and individual variation in the response to drugs;
- the therapeutic and adverse effects of the main drugs used in sport activities, evaluating also the possible interaction between physical exercise and the activity of drugs used by the athlete;
- toxic effects of the main substances and methods prohibited in the world anti-doping code;
- anti‐doping rules and organization, analytical methods for anti‐doping control.
[knowledge and understanding]
The student will acquire the capacity of understanding the relationship between physical exercise/sports activity and drug abuse in sports. The achievement of the primary objectives of the course will allow the student to understand how to use the concepts learned for solving problems that he may encounter during the practice of his profession, how to argue the choices made, and how to identify the most appropriate approach that can be used. The course will help the student to enhance his ability to relate with other professional figures and to exploit the applicative aspects of the discipline in the fields of education, sports and free time [Applied knowledge and understanding].

At the end of the course, the student will possess:
- critical skills and the capacity of autonomously forming personal and adequate opinions on pharmacological and toxicological issues [Making judgements]
- capacity of communicating and explaining pharmacological concepts and issues using the basic terminology of the field [Communications skills]
- ability to critically consult scientific-related websites; ability to autonomously expand one’s scientific-cultural background in the field and keep updating on the most recent scientific arguments of pharmacology inherent to their profession. This skill will also be acquired thanks to the presentation / discussion in the classroom of recent research papers [learning skills].

Contents

The course will focus on the general concepts of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and on the adequate knowledge of the therapeutic effects and the collateral and toxic effects induced by prohibited Substances and Methods, included in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, and commonly used in sports.

Extended Syllabus

Program -

• Doping: legislative aspects. World Anti-Doping Agency and National Anti-Doping Organisms. List of prohibited substances and methods.

• Principles of pharmacokinetics: absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of drugs. Pharmacokinetic parameters.

• Principles of pharmacodynamics: membrane and intracellular receptors; signal transduction pathways; drug-receptor interactions.

• Autonomic Nervous System Drugs: Parasympathetic and Sympathetic System receptors; direct sympathomimetics; beta2-agonists; beta blockers.

• Psychomotor stimulants: cocaine, amphetamines and related compounds, caffeine.

• Anabolic agents: anabolic androgenic steroids (testosterone and derivatives, designer steroids); selective androgen receptor modulators (SARM).

• Blood doping: erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA); agents activating the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF); blood transfusions; artificial oxygen transporters (hemoglobin-based, perfluorocarbon-based).

• Peptide hormones and Metabolic modulators: insulins and insulin-mimetics; growth hormone (GH) and release factors; myostatin inhibitors; meldonium.

• Hormonal modulators: aromatase inhibitors; selective modulators of estrogen receptors (SERM); antiestrogens.

• Diuretics and masking agents: carbonic anhydrase inhibitors; loop diuretics; thiazides; plasma expanders; probenecid; epitestosterone.

• Anti-inflammatory drugs: natural and synthetic glucocorticoids; NSAIDs and Coxib.

• Central Nervous System drugs: opiate analgesics; benzodiazepines; cannabinoids.

• Anti-doping controls: control procedures; main methods of analysis.

Recommended Bibliography

“Farmacologia. Principi di base e applicazioni terapeutiche”. F. Rossi, V. Cuomo, C. Riccardi. IV edizione. Ed. Minerva Medica;

“Rand &Dale farmacologia” H.P. Rang, M.M. Dale, J.M. Ritter, R.J. Flower, G. Henderson, Ed. Edra (8° edizione)

Any additional materials provided by the lecturer

Teaching Methods

The course will be carried out through frontal lectures with the help of slides that will represent teaching material, in addition to the recommended text.
In the event of a serious health emergency, remote lessons will be provided through one of the platforms suggested by the University.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The learning will be evaluated through a final assessment that will verify the level of achievement of the learning objectives previously described. The evaluation criteria will concern the correct use of the specific scientific language, the knowledge, and mastery of the contents, the clarity, and the ability to summarize. The students will be asked, by lecturers of the two modules, questions on topics present in the program. The final grade represents the average of the votes given by each lecturer according to the credit score, and the overall rating will be expressed in thirtieths. The exam will not be exceeded if it is ascertained that the student is unable to answer a question, to argue on the topic, or if during the dialogue with the lecturer the student will highlight such gaps as to preclude the possibility of understanding the subject of the application.
The result of the examination is expressed in thirtieths according to a growing scale in relation to the demonstration of knowledge, the appropriateness of the language, the logic and consistency of the exposure:
- sufficient basic knowledge but lacking: voting 18 - 22 out of thirty;
- discreet knowledge and expository clarity: voting 23-25 thirtieths;
- good knowledge and ability to illustrate the topics with ownership of language and mastery of the subject: voting 26-28 thirty;
- excellent knowledge of the topics and excellent exhibition skills, critical reasoning: voting 28-30 out of thirty.
30 with honors is reserved for the student who demonstrates particularly in-depth knowledge, a particular ability of exposure, and critical reasoning.

In the event of a health emergency, the oral examination will be carried out remotely by using the platform suggested by the University.

Contacts/More Information

Student reception
Every day, after appointment via email:
patricia.giuliani@unich.it

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree