U.S. Army Research on Pharmacological Enhancement of Soldier Performance: Stimulants, Anabolic Hormones, and Blood Doping

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2015-11, Vol.29 Suppl 11 (Supplement 11), p.S71-S76
• Main Author: Friedl, Karl E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anabolic Agents - pharmacology; Biomedical Research; Central Nervous System Stimulants - pharmacology; Drug use; Hormones; Human performance; Humans; Military Medicine; Military Personnel; Performance-Enhancing Substances - pharmacology; Pharmacology; Psychomotor Performance - drug effects; United States
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001027

ABSTRACTFriedl, KE. U.S. army research on pharmacological enhancement of soldier performancestimulants, anabolic hormones, and blood doping. J Strength Cond Res 29(11S)S71–S76, 2015—The level playing field of competitive sports is an irrelevant concern in asymmetrical warfare. However, there is a common theme of pressure to use performance-enhancing drugs because athletic or military opponents may be using them to advantage. This interest is fueled by personal anecdotes, misconceptions, and myths, and decisions to use or not to use pharmacological interventions may ignore available scientific data. The U.S. Army has led research in this area, with an abundance of published data extending back to World War II. Behavioral effects have been a consistent concern. A key conclusion to be drawn from this research is that although there may be specialized applications for some of these interventions, the majority of soldiers will gain the greatest performance benefits from effective physical and mental training programs combined with good principles of rest and nutrition. Furthermore, the perceived need to improve human biology with drugs may be solving the wrong problem, trying to fit the human to the demands of poorly conceived tactics, tasks, and equipments instead of capitalizing on human capabilities.