Use of Steroids in Sports

When athletes compete for excellence in sports, the use

of steroids or other supplements often times may be a cause

for disqualification in a sports event. Many athletes

today subscribe to the idea that steroids should be allowed

in sports competition. They admit that steroid and

supplement use enhances natural athletic ability and

endurance and, thus, promotes athletes to perform better in

competition. These same athletes are convinced that

doctors and the government advance the “side effect”

argument mostly as a scare tactic to preserve the “purity

of athletic competition. Is there enough research to

support the dramatic effects of steroids on sports

performance and the side effects that could ultimately lead

to a death sentence?

Congress classifies anabolic steroids as controlled

substances and report health risks as deadly to justify

basis for legislation. Today, athletes using anabolic

steroids have a more sophisticated pharmacological knowledge

base for using steroids that they believe surpasses that of

the vast majority of physicians. Therefore, there is a

continual debate on whether athletes should be allowed to

take steroids to enhance performance or endurance or

appearance.

Steroids are chemicals that act like hormones. These

hormones are normally in your body and regulate bodily

functions. Anabolic steroids are used by abusers to build

muscle mass or prolong intense training. There are

chemically engineered versions of testosterone. In other

words, these use of these anabolic steroids could possibly

tamper with the natural maturation of males in the growth of

tests and penis, increased sexual drive, more body hair, and

a deeper voice. However, the use of these anabolic steroids

also distinguishes the more muscular physiques in males

versus females. (Kowalski, 44-45)

Many nutrition experts and sports medicine physicians

argue that much too little is known about the steroids being

advertised and sold today. There is an ongoing concern

about the long term effects of steroid use. The Federal

Trade Commission, which helps protect consumers against

unfair or deceptive business practices continually urges

manufacturers to disclose the possible risks of taking

steroid hormones and stimulants. These typically include

steroids like androstenedione and stimulants like ephedra.

In fact, the Federal Trade Commission requests labels on

products containing these body boosters to warn of unwanted

changes in male and female sexual characteristics and

special dangers to persons at increased risk for prostate

and breast cancer. The FTC also says that most companies

are unable to substantiate their claims of safety or the

lack of side effects. (Funk, 21-22). Furthermore, there is

a concern among nutrition experts that athletes may think

that if a little is good, then a lot is better.