...response to an imposed load is an important and well-known biological adaptation of skeletal muscle. However, little is known about the systemic changes in hypertrophying muscle at the molecular level. Anabolic steroids, technically known as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), are drugs that have similar effects to testosterone in the body. They increase protein within cells, especially in skeletal muscles. Anabolic steroids also have androgenic and virilizing properties, including the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics such as the growth of the vocal cords, testicles (primary sexual characteristics), and body hair (secondary sexual characteristics). Of the many 100’s of steroids which were never produced, it is from them that the supplement industry has selected our current roster of OTC anabolics. At this point you might be asking “How are these supplement companies able to legally manufacture and sell these products, since they are no different than any other CIII steroid?” Remember, it wasn’t until 1990 that steroids were officially declared to be controlled substances and illegal to possess without a prescription, but this only applied to steroids which were either currently prescribed, or had been prescribed in the past. All of the many 100’s of steroids which had avoided prescription status remained as unscheduled drugs, which meant that anyone was free to possess them without breaking the law. Certainly, I am sure that the government never anticipated...
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...[Debate 3: Steroid Use in Professional Sports] | A view opposing the use of steroids | Merriam-Webster defines a steroid as “any of numerous natural or synthetic compounds containing a 17-carbon 4-ring system and including the sterols and various hormones and glycosides.” A more specific steroid is called an anabolic steroid. The definition for Anabolic steroid is “a class of man-made drugs that are chemically related to the male hormone testosterone.” Anabolic steroids are more accurately called anabolic-androgenic steroids. This name defines their two principle characteristics. Anabolic means to synthesize or build up; thus anabolic steroids increase skeletal muscle mass. Androgenic means involving male sexual characteristics. Anabolic steroids are related to testosterone and affect the body in many of the same ways as testosterone. As of 2009, not a single anabolic steroid had been manufactured that was free of negative side effects. In many developing countries, anabolic steroids can be purchased without a prescription. However, in the United States, they have been controlled substances since 1991. Possession of an anabolic steroid without a prescription is illegal and can result in a maximum one-year prison sentence and a minimum fine of $1,000 fine for the first offense. Steroids only purpose for the professional athlete is to artificially boost muscle mass and power. The steroid user gains a significant edge over their fellow competitors who do not employ such unscrupulous...
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...29 March 2013 Word Count: 1,766 Steroids should be legalized Abstract The use of steroids and illegal performance-enhancing drugs appears to be growing in professional athletics. More and more high profile athletes are being busted for their use and consequently ostracized by fans and those in the athletic community. Beyond that, there are thousands of other professional and amateur athletes who have resorted to these drugs as well. As someone who has found a passion for all things fitness, and aspires to open up my own gym and train athletes someday, this issue is of high importance to me. Although many have accepted steroids as illegal and a type of cheating, these drugs should be legalized in sports. While it is widely accepted that performance-enhancing drugs pose health risks, I think it is the athletes’ own choice whether or not these risks are worth the benefit. In this research, I will argue why it makes sense to lift the current ban on steroids in professional sports. The effects of steroids are well known. They will help increase athletic performance and they also come with negative side effects. In a study done by clinical biochemists, it was found that use of anabolic steroids combined with exercise was highly effective. This research took 43 volunteers and divided them into four groups. One group of people took a placebo pill and exercised, one group took a placebo with no exercise, and two groups took an anabolic steroid with one of them exercising. The study...
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...learn about the potential benefits, the health risks and the many unknowns regarding so-called performance-enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids, androstenedione, human growth hormone, erythropoietin, diuretics, creatine and stimulants. You may decide that the benefits aren't worth the risks. What is a drug? | A drug is a chemical substance that, when absorbed into the body, can alter normal bodily function. Many drugs have been banned in sport if they are deemed to provide an unfair advantage, pose a health risk, or are seen to violate the ‘spirit of sport’. The use of banned drugs by athletes is referred to as ‘doping’. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), and more recently, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have been leading the way in the battle against drugs in sport. | Why do some athletes use drugs? | Most athletes take drugs to enhance their physical performance in an attempt to prevent them falling behind other competitors, even if it does mean damaging their health and risking their sports careers. Other athletes may use drugs to help them wind down and relax, to cope with the pressures and stress associated with a constant battle to win all the time, to boost their own self-esteem and confidence, to mask the pain of certain sports injuries, to control and reduce weight, and to hide the use of any other banned substances. | What types of drugs and methods are used by athletes...
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...professional sports should be at random times and professional sports leagues should have stricter policies on drug testing. Performance enhancing drugs give professional athletes unfair advantages that are unfair to the athletes who do not use performance enhancing drugs. When athletes use performance enhancing drugs it affects their health and if they are caught when drug tested the athlete can face severe punishments. Consequently, if an athlete is caught using performance enhancing drugs it sends a negative message to young people that often look up to professional athletes. If drug testing was not required in professional sports, some athletes would gain an unfair advantage. Performance enhancing drugs have been used from all the way back to the Greek Olympics through present day. The first drug tests began in February 1968 at the Winter Olympic Games in Grenoble, France. "The IOC instituted its first compulsory doping controls at the Winter Olympic Games in Grenoble, France in 1968 and again at the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City in the same year. At that time the list of banned substances issued in 1967 included narcotic analgesics and stimulants, which comprised sympathomimetic amines, psychomotor stimulants and miscellaneous central nervous system stimulants [including alcohol]. Although it was suspected that androgenic anabolic steroids were being used at this time, testing methods were insufficiently developed to warrant the inclusion of anabolic steroids in the list...
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...Steroids have been part of baseball history for a long time and it’s benefited athletes who resort to using it without getting caught. It’s helped the game develop into the game we see today, with players breaking home run records and pitchers pitching Cy Young worthy numbers. Steroids have caused a rift between who should or shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame because it helped them get a competitive boost with the use of an injection or cream, while others played naturally and legally. While I believe that steroids have its advantages in athletes, it is just another way athletes can gain a competitive boost. If steroids were to be legalized, all athletes would have the chance to compete at the same level, but in a much higher and competitive environment. The stadiums would be more electric and games would be more exciting for the fans to enjoy....
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...and Fairness of PEDs Despite being banned in many leagues and competitions, steroids are still used to gain an edge over other competitors. Athletes use steroids without any regard to the ethics that accompany the intake of drugs. There are many reasons why competitors should, in fact, follow the rules set in place and stop using steroids completely. Performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) should completely stop being used in competitions or leagues. First of all, anabolic steroids are known to be bad for your health. PEDs have unpleasant, undesirable side effects. The United States Anti-Doping Agency lists the symptoms of using PEDs, which include ”liver damage, stunted growth, increased aggressiveness, leukemia, anemia,...
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...favorite sport has come under review over their players use of steroids and many other performance enhancing drugs. A lot of individuals seemed to be aware of the shocking epidemic that is sweeping all of the sports. A person with a knowledge of the sport world would know of the effects of doping within the sports. Almost weekly there is a headline case on the news referring to another sport doping scandal. A few competitors take a type of steroids, these are called anabolic-Androstenedione gen steroids or simply anabolic steroids. These steroids are used for many different reasons but mainly to expand their bulk and quality of muscle. The fundamental anabolic steroid hormone delivered by your body is testosterone. The promotion in muscle building normal than the average athlete is looked down upon by many different organizations and national sport leagues. The purpose...
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...caused a big controversial topic in today’s fitness world. Many may say that it is cheating, while others may say it is needed to help achieve the desired physique and fitness goal. From steroids, to ephedra, to creatine, people have mainly been confused on deciding whether or not these enhancers are fair and safe. Creatine or androsteredine might not mean anything to an unknowledge person. These words may cause the knowledge person’s ear to hurt, because these words may represent evil that has no longer kept the fairness in the competition of a person. To the athletes and people who actually take these supplements and know what they do for the human being, will know that they are beneficial in many ways. These are just a couple of supplements listed, but there are plenty of others that are very beneficial and looked down on. In 1990 lots of substances and performance enhancers were made illegal and removed from marketing and store shelves due to The Steroid Control Act of 1990. (Collins) These enhancers were made illegal due to not only health issues but also due to preserving the fairness in competitive sports.(Collins) The Steroid Control Act of 2004 also took away more substances from store shelves that athletes will never get their hands on again. Yes, most of the substances that were banned and made illegal were proven to be unsafe, however soon congress will take away all sports supplements whether they are safe or not. Anything that the people see negative, congress seems...
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...Comp I 4/26 /13 Steroids in Sports Should athletes be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs in order to improve their performance? Steroid usage in sports has long been a real big issue for many athletes both professional and amateur. Steroids are not allowed in any sport however; some athletes do take the chance by using performance-enhancing drugs in order to increase the chances of a successful outcome in a competition. Many athletes have been banned from participating in certain sports because they were convicted of taking steroids. In light of this, one can only wonder how many top athletes have won events due to the use of steroids. There are many sides to the debate of whether or not athletes should be able to use steroids. Despite health reasons there are quite a few people who do believe that athletes should be allowed to use performance- enhancers. On the other hand, there are those who believe that steroids should not be used. First, in the current sports arena , professional athletes are known to have well paid salaries and because steroids have the potential to improve performances and to heal injuries, it is not surprising that research activities have been enhanced to develop better and acceptable alternatives for testosterone. The Germans had started taking steroids during the 1960s in order ...
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...culture’ from the sporting world. Therefore having experienced first-hand the drug testing practices involved in detection after competing in the world youth championships this year I was interested to look into the motivation behind athletes who choose to cheat and risk their future career both athletically and their career after retirement having been branded as a 'cheat’ within their sport. I will do this by looking into the history of drug use in sport and the enhancements the drugs provide to performance to try to understand why athletes risk their careers to simply win. Contents | | Abstract | 2 | Introduction | 2 | Drugs in sport; a modern problem? | 3 | Drugs in sport: what are they? * Amphetamines * Anabolic steroids * EPO * Diuretics * Caffeine | 3-6 | Drugs in sport: health risks | 6-7 | Drugs in sport: detection and punishment | 7- | Drugs in sport: why cheat? | | | | Drugs in sport: case studies * Lance Armstrong * Dwain chambers | | Bibliography | | Introduction Due to the recent...
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...How are performance enhancing drugs (PEDS) affecting the future of sports? Although many PEDS are banned by the USADA, there is a reason why some should be allowed. The war between sports and drugs has been going on for a long time and is affecting all sports. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), is the national anti-doping organization (NADO) for Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, and Parapan American sports in the United States. They try to preserve the integrity of competition , inspire true sport, and protect the rights of athletes. Drugs not allowed by the USADA include erythropoietin, anabolic steroids, stimulants, human growth hormone, and diuretics. The USADA collects urine and blood samples to test for drugs. They inform athletes of the results of their drug tests and also manage any potential anti-doping rule violations....
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...There has been no bigger or constant story in the world of baseball than the consistent illegal use of performance enhancing drugs. Performance-enhancing drugs are any substance taken to perform better athletically. This term is referenced often and typically refers to anabolic steroid use in sports by professional and amateur athletes. Other substances may also be taken to improve performance, including human growth hormone (HGH). The on going epidemic has brought the attention of some the biggest names in sports into question. Roger Clemens, Sean Merriman and Lance Armstrong just to name a few of what could possible be hundreds according to the Mitchell report. (Thesteroidera.com) The Mitchell report was an investigation to the commissioner of baseball of an independent investigation into the illegal use of steroids and other performance enhancing substances by players in major league baseball, as well as other major sports. The report helped put in the spotlight the ongoing problem mainly found in athletics today. The drugs allowed players to excel far beyond their god given talent and allowed them to produce power numbers never seen before. Not only does “Doping” hurt the integrity of the sport and the athlete, but also causes serious health risks, both mental and physical. I don’t believe there was anyone more intrigued by the epic home-run race of 1998 between Sammy Sosa and Mark Mcguire. The two heroes of the time seemed to sea-saw back and forth until ultimately Mcguire...
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...Steroids, Just Another Way to Cheat What is cheating? Cheating is getting rewarded for ability by dishonest means. It is generally used for breaking the rules to gain advantage in the competitive situations. Whether you cheat in school, gambling or even sports, it is one of the lowest moral actions we are capable of doing. It doesn’t matter the way one cheats deep down inside, all of us realize we are doing wrong. One of the ways to cheat is to use steroids. Nevertheless steroids can be extremely beneficial when used for medical purposes. Many patients suffering from muscle-wasting diseases, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and hormone deficiency benefit from using anabolic steroids. Corticosteroids relieve pain for many patients with arthritis and some skin disorders (Spraugue). Sadly most of the people who do use steroids, use it for reasons to benefit themselves. Most of the cases steroids are being used are in sports, in other words it is just another way to cheat. The use of performance enhancing drugs is mostly done to improve athletic performance. Anabolic steroids are derivatives of the male sex hormone, testosterone. They're used in the medical world to help rebuild tissues that have become weak because of serious injury or illness. Despite the evidence that taking steroids may cause serious health problems, some athletes still continue to use them illegally. The use of steroids and other drugs to enhance athletic performance has occurred with ever-increasing...
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...reached an all-time high in the sports arena. The need to succeed, be among the elite, financial gain, and the pressure to win are some of the many reasons that drugs are found in sports today. Drugs in sports range from therapeutic drugs, performance enhancement drugs, and recreational drugs. Drugs in sports are found on various levels of competition such as: high school, college, and professional sports. High school athletes' are using enhancement drugs so that they may receive a college scholarship, collegiate athletes' are using drugs so that they make it to the professional level, and professional athletes' are using drugs to make sure that they stay among the elite. Drug use in athletics have led to suspensions of players, athletes being banned from that particular sport, and ultimately death. There are many reasons for using drugs in sports, with performance enhancement being one of the top reasons, but no one will ever understand why athletes risk their career and lives. A concern for the public is the fact that athletes assume these risks just to be among the top competitors of sports. Drugs are a danger to the health of athletes. Drug use to enhance performance is unethical, and using drugs is illegal in today's society. Drugs in sports is unethical because the focus of winning and succeeding overshadows the real reasons for playing sports such as the love for a sport, natural talent and ability, and hard work to be among the elite. Athletes are thinking about winning, gaining...
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