What is doping in sports?

Doping in sports refers to the use of substances or methods that are prohibited by sporting organizations in order to enhance athletic performance. Specifically, it often involves the use of drugs that can artificially increase levels of certain substances in the body, such as red blood cells. This is significant because higher red blood cell counts enhance oxygen delivery to muscles, thereby improving endurance and overall athletic performance.

The focus on using drugs to increase red blood cells is a common form of doping known as blood doping, which can include the use of erythropoietin (EPO) or other similar substances. These practices give athletes an unfair advantage and violate the ethical standards of sports.

In contrast, the other options involve practices that are generally accepted within the bounds of sport and do not involve the illicit use of banned substances. Natural supplements and vitamins can be beneficial for health and performance if they are not on the banned list, and adopting a high-protein diet is part of standard nutritional strategies for athletes to support muscle recovery and growth. However, none of these options constitute doping as they do not involve the manipulation of banned substances to gain an unfair advantage in competition.