MONTREAL, Sept 3 — The World Anti-Doping Agency is concerned about the use of xenon and argon by athletes to boost stamina. Although a ban on the use of the two so-called noble gases went into effect on May 1, doping experts have not yet developed an effective test to help enforce the ban.

Inhaling xenon and argon along with oxygen has been a common practice to improve athletes’ performance.

The presence of these gases prompts the body to produce more of a protein known as hypoxia inducible factor 1, or HIF1. HIF1 stimulates the production of erythropoietin, a hormone generated by the kidneys that regulates red blood cell count. Producing more red blood cells enhances stamina, because red blood cells carry oxygen.

Xenon has reportedly been used as a performance enhancer by Russian athletes for years. Russian company Atom-Med Centre CJSC was praised by the Russian government for providing “inhalation remediation” technologies for national athletes participating in the 2004 Summer Olympics and 2006 Winter Olympics. ― Reuters

Some 1,000 young athletes at the Brazilian School Youth Games in Belem, north Brazil, November 8, 2013. The World Anti-Doping Agency is concerned about the use of xenon and argon by athletes to boost stamina. — Reuters pic