GLP-1 drugs, developed to treat diabetes and help with weight loss, are prompting questions about whether they could also be used to boost athletic performance.
The medicines can reduce weight and improve markers of health, but scientists say their effect on athletes, who are typically already lean and fit, is far less clear.
The drugs work by mimicking a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar, helping people feel fuller and eat less.
In some sports where power-to-weight ratio matters, such as cycling or distance running, there has been speculation that weight loss could offer a competitive edge.
“For an elite athlete, under-eating is usually the problem, not the solution. These drugs could easily do more harm than good.”
However, experts warn that reduced appetite could make it harder for athletes to fuel properly, potentially leading to loss of muscle, fatigue and poorer recovery.
Sports scientists also point to a lack of research on the drugs in elite athletes, meaning any potential benefits or risks are largely unknown.
Anti-doping bodies have said they monitor emerging substances, although GLP-1 medicines are not currently on the list of prohibited substances.
Ethicists say the debate raises broader questions about the use of prescription drugs by healthy people for performance purposes.
The drugs have become some of the most talked-about medicines in the world, with demand surging since they were approved for weight management. Supply problems have at times affected patients who rely on them for diabetes treatment, and regulators have warned about counterfeit products sold online. Doctors stress that the medicines carry side effects, including nausea and digestive problems, and should only be used under medical supervision.
Researchers say more studies are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
