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Subjects · Leaving Cert Physical Education

Leaving Cert Physical Education: Performance-enhancing drugs

How often Performance-enhancing drugs comes up on the Physical Education papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 5 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 5 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Performance-enhancing drugs, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Performance-enhancing drugs.

(a)EPO improves endurance by?
  1. Increasing muscle mass and strength
  2. Increasing red blood cell production
  3. Calming the nerves and steadying hands
(b)Anabolic steroids are misused to?
  1. Steady a shaking hand when aiming
  2. Lose weight rapidly before a weigh-in
  3. Build muscle and speed recovery
(c)Beta-blockers could give an unfair advantage to which athlete?
  1. An archer or a shooter
  2. A rugby prop
  3. A marathon runner
Show the answers

(a) Increasing red blood cell production

(b) Build muscle and speed recovery

(c) An archer or a shooter

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Performance-enhancing drugs.

Higher Level

Asked on 5 of the last 5 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q5, Q13, Q18
2024Q16
2023Q15
2022Q16
2021Q15

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Performance-enhancing drugs questions

Performance-enhancing drugs, 2 marks

Narcotics such as strong painkillers may be misused in sport to?

  1. Increase red blood cells for endurance
  2. Lose weight quickly before a weigh-in
  3. Mask pain and compete while injured
Show the answer

Mask pain and compete while injured

Narcotics hide pain, so an injured athlete can keep competing, risking much worse injury. They are also addictive.

Performance-enhancing drugs, 3 marks

Why are some asthma medicines (beta-2 agonists) controlled in sport?

  1. They increase urine output to mask drugs
  2. High doses may boost breathing and muscle
  3. They slow the heart and steady the hands
Show the answer

High doses may boost breathing and muscle

Beta-2 agonists open the airways. Some, at high doses, may have muscle-building effects, so the Prohibited List limits which ones and how much.

Performance-enhancing drugs, 3 marks

Why are drugs bought online a particular health risk for athletes?

  1. Unknown ingredients and doses
  2. They are always weaker than prescribed drugs
  3. They have been checked by WADA
Show the answer

Unknown ingredients and doses

Unregulated products may contain different or extra substances at unknown strengths, risking both health and a positive test.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 5 of the last 5 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q5
2024Q4, Q10
2023Q12, Q17
2022Q10
2021Q3

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Performance-enhancing drugs questions

Performance-enhancing drugs, 2 marks

Anabolic steroids are taken illegally to…

  1. Lower the heart rate and calm nerves
  2. Improve flexibility and balance
  3. Build muscle mass and strength
Show the answer

Build muscle mass and strength

Steroids copy testosterone and let athletes train harder and recover faster. Side effects include liver damage, heart disease, acne and mood swings.

Performance-enhancing drugs, 2 marks

EPO is used illegally to…

  1. Calm nerves and steady the hands
  2. Increase red blood cells for endurance
  3. Build muscle bulk for power
Show the answer

Increase red blood cells for endurance

EPO is a hormone that makes the body produce more red blood cells, so more oxygen reaches the muscles. It thickens the blood and raises the risk of clots and strokes.

Performance-enhancing drugs, 3 marks

Diuretics may be misused to…

  1. Lose weight fast or hide other drugs
  2. Build muscle quickly
  3. Increase red blood cells for endurance
Show the answer

Lose weight fast or hide other drugs

Diuretics make the body lose water through urine. Athletes may misuse them to make a weight category or to dilute urine and mask other drugs. Dehydration is a major risk.

Other Physical Education topics

All of Leaving Cert Physical Education