Why Sports and Steroids are a Deadly Combination
By Olasimbo Olanusi, MD, FASAM
The use of perfomance boosters in sports began with a team of weight lifters in the 1950 Olympics. They used anabolic steroids to cheat their way into winning several medals. Ever since, this usage has spread to other "strength sports," which includes track and field events and American football. It was only at the 1976 summer games that anabolic / androgenic steroids were first included among the banned substances list by the International Olympics Committee.
Q: Why do people continue to abuse steroids despite the fact that it is a factor making any contest unfair and taints the true spirit of sportmanship?
A: The society's perception of success and excellence in sports, which is about winning, is "not everything but the only thing." It makes it easier for people in professional sports to accept readily booster steroid pills. This serves as an alternative vehicle to help them achieve higher levels of performance and increase their chance to join the elite group of winners, which rewards them with a life of fame and megabucks.
Q: What types of steroids are used in sports to enhance performances?
A: These are Anabolic Androgenic Steroids(AAS)
Q: What are Anabolic Androgenic Steroids?
A: They are synthetic derivatives of the natural male sex hormone testosterone.
Q: How do anabolic steroids work in the body?
A: This hormone is responsible for developing sexual characteristics observed in males (androgenic effects)
They also promote the growth in skeletal muscle, bone structure and density (anabolic effects)
Q: Who are the people likely to use (AAS)?
A: Those in professional 'strength sports' are more likely to abuse AAS out of their belief that it will give them a "winning edge" in developing their power, strength and increase recovery from heavy workouts.
Some use AAS because they perceive that improved muscle mass improves their appearance.
In those who suffer from Image Identity disorder (body dysmorphia). They have a distorted perception of their physique as weak and skinny, where in reality they could be large and muscular.
Some adolescents abuse steroids as a pattern of high-risk behavior that includes drinking and driving, carrying lethal weapons and abusing street drugs.
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