What does the term stacking refer to in sports medicine?

The term "stacking" in sports medicine refers to the practice of taking multiple substances, often performance-enhancing drugs or supplements, simultaneously to amplify their desired effects. Athletes may engage in stacking to achieve greater gains in strength, endurance, or recovery than they would obtain from a single substance alone. This method can be particularly risky, as it increases the potential for adverse health effects and complications due to the interaction of the various substances involved.

The other options, while related to sports and athletic training, do not accurately capture the specific meaning of "stacking." For instance, combining multiple training regimens is about varying workout techniques for improved performance but does not involve the use of substances. Building physical strength progressively focuses on gradual increases in intensity or resistance within a training program, which is a conventional approach to strength training. Lastly, a method of injury rehabilitation pertains to therapeutic exercises and treatments aimed at recovery from injuries rather than substance use.