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Statistical research at Kent has made an essential contribution to the development of an effective test to detect growth hormone (GH) abuse in sport. GH is naturally present in the human body, but its exogenous use has been banned in sport for many years. However, it is believed to be widely misused across a broad spectrum of sports and the research attracted a wide range of support from national anti-doping authorities in the UK (UKAD) and USA (USADA), from the EU, via the Biomed 2 Programme, from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and from industry. The development of a reliable anti-doping test (the "biomarker" test), based on the biological and statistical research, is a breakthrough that benefits the public, by helping to ensure fairness in sporting events. There are also potential health benefits to sportspeople who are discouraged from using exogenous GH, which can have serious side effects. The new test was finalised and approved by WADA in July 2012. The test was used for the first time just prior to the 2012 London Games and led to two Paralympic competitors being convicted of GH doping.
Research at Queen Mary established the beneficial effects of adult growth hormone (GH) replacement. Prof Korbonits' team pioneered careful GH dose titration and adjustment of other concomitant pituitary hormone replacements, both crucial for effective and safe treatment. Collaborative research between adult and paediatric endocrinologists established a new model of GH deficiency treatment between completion of linear growth and full maturity at age 25. Findings led to [a] revised guidelines and policy in UK, Europe and USA; [b] new service models (especially at the paediatric-adult transition); [c] significant changes in clinical practice, [d] improved patient outcomes, notably dramatically improved quality of life, reduced cardiovascular risk and improved survival, [e] reduced costs.
King's College London (KCL), operating a state-of-the-art Drug Control Centre (DCC) in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), delivered the anti-doping analysis at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This operation, undertaken in their World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) accredited laboratories, was characterised by unprecedented scale, speed and accuracy. It succeeded in protecting the health of athletes and the integrity of the Games. KCL was chosen to undertake the 24/7 anti-doping operation based on its cutting-edge bio-analytical research in drug control. Although a number of athletes were disqualified in the pre-Games testing, the deterrent effect of the KCL work was evidenced by the few doping cases during the Games itself. Using the new biomarker test developed by the DCC at KCL in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Southampton, the team identified for the first time the administration of recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) in two athletes. The findings of the KCL-led operation are already being used to develop similar testing facilities for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and have opened up the science of drug-testing to schools through the "Scientists in Sport" initiative.
The research of Professor Julien Baker, the Director of the Institute for Clinical Exercise and Health Science (ICEHS), in conjunction with prestigious partners such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), has impacted on a number of key issues related to drug abuse in sport. This research has been instrumental in leading to a greater international understanding of the full extent of the problems associated with anabolic steroid and growth hormone supply and use for sports performance enhancing purposes and also the associated physiological consequences of using these drugs. This research has played a significant role in informing the international debates around steroid use and abuse and shaping policies for the detection and prevention of steroid (ab)use.