Thread: Female College Student Receives A+ on "Steroids and Elite Athletes" Paper!

Female College Student Receives A+ on "Steroids and Elite Athletes" Paper!

Steroids and Elite athletes

Steroids and other Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED’s) have existed for decades, and have been used by athletes almost since their creation. Controversy has surrounded the question of their use by athletes for many years as well. Much of this outcry and negative persona comes from the drugs reputation as unhealthy, dangerous, and even fatal. However, all of the medical studies and drug trials conducted have concluded that steroids and growth hormone are amazingly useful drugs with a high medical value if used with moderation. And because they provide a healthy body with additional speed, strength and stamina when taken, their permissive use by elite athletes has been debated for decades. The use of steroids and PED’s by elite athletes should not be considered an unfair advantage because the athletes must still possess the talent, skill and commitment in order to perform and compete at a high level.


I- Historic Facts

Performance enhancement drugs have been used by athletes as far back as the Ancient Greeks in the Olympics, who took herbs, ingested abnormal substances (goat testicles to increase testosterone) and even consumed skeptical diets (ingesting only OX meat to absorb extra Creatine) in order to enhance their performance as athletes. At that time, they didn't compete for the love of the game, but for the huge amount of prize money given by the games organizers1. That quest and desire to win at all costs is not unlike the strive for getting that “extra help”, that athletes face in today’s sport scenario. By 1836 the official International Olympics started and again the presence of drugs to enhance athletic performances was there. A runner named Thomas Hicks Had to be revived during the 1904 Olympics, after taking brandy laced with cocaine and strychnine. He still got his gold medal, and the act was not considered at the time to be unfair.2 With the second Great War and the rise of the Third Reich, Nazi doctors created the first anabolic steroids, in the form of injectable synthetic testosterone, which was created with the express purpose of increasing aggression among the troops3.

When the Olympics were held in Nazi Germany in 1936, Germany won theoverall medal count with 89 medals, and the United States came in second with 56 medals. While thereare no records confirming, or disproving, pervasive steroid use by the German team in those Olympics, circumstantial evidence argues that steroids at least played a role, particularly considering that a mere fouryears earlier, at the 1932 Olympics, the United States came in first with 102 medals, while Germany camein ninth, with only 20 medal.4

Following World War II, the Cold War began, and the U.S.S.R stepped to the forefront in the realm of steroid development. Russian doctors were even held as virtual prisoners, and forced to work to develop even stronger synthetic medications to increase the power and the stamina in human beings. Even though Russians had never previously competed in the Olympics under Bolshevik rule, their first Communist participation was impressive. in Helsinki in the Summer Olympics 1952 they won 71 medals, finishing behind only the United States with 76 medals. This was a political statement as well as a competitive one. Soon after, United States began to develop their own substances, assisted by German doctors expatriated after the war.5

By the 1960’s, and assisted by the advent of television, sports was a worldwide and multimillion dollar business, and It was during this time that steroids began to find their way into almost every corner and of sports. From big-time American team sports, like football and baseball, to individual achievement-based sports like power lifting and track and field. From the richest and most popular athletic stars right down to the greenest of amateurs, the temptation to increase performance and get stronger, faster, and better took the world by storm and steroid usage surged. The most famous bodybuilder in history, former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, sums up this temptation. Schwarzenegger says he took the risks and does not repent from his usage. “ I had to do it do win,” he says.6


II- Use: How they effect the body

Steroids and PED’s are synthetic substances chemically similar to naturally produced hormones such as testosterone. Testosterone acts in two ways, androgenic and anabolic. Androgenic defines in males, masculine characteristics, as facial hair growth, and sexual organs development. Anabolic on the other hand, promotes changes on various tissue types, as muscles and bones tissues7. Synthetic steroids imitate this natural anabolic system, helping on the healing process of the body tissues.8 Even though steroids and PED’s are commonly known as destructive; many studies show a conclusion that is completely opposite. Steroids can be truly beneficial for almost all athletes by assisting in their recovery process (rest). Many other benefits can be harnessed through hard work, but a better healing process through the eventual injuries and regular muscle tissue rupture that all athletes experience is a minimum benefit available to all.9


III Negative Aspects: negative publicity

The association of Steroids with liver cancer and heart diseases are the most harmful side effects discussed by the popular media, besides infertility and aesthetics changes in the human body. According to Dr. Norman Fost, a Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Program in Medical Ethics and Bioethics at the University of Wisconsin “Many steroid risks have been wildly exaggerated or misstated in the press.”10 He also gives the example of Lyle Alzado, the NFL player who developed a brain tumor and claimed being a victim of steroid usage. Dr Fost, could not find any reference or scientific source for any connection between steroids and brain tumors, because there is none yet documented. “The journalistic media creates false impressions that the claims are somehow supported by scientific studies.”11 The New England Journal of medicine had conducted a short-term study, and the only side effects found when testosterone was given in continuous high dosages to adult males was acne and breast tenderness.12


IV-Positive Aspects Medical Benefits

According to John Romano in the series “The truth about steroids”, he is a user of steroids for more than 20 years without presenting any side effects, and the only thing he can see are the benefits. This has also happened with Bob Clap, a user of these drugs for more than 40 years. Today, in his 70’s, he claims to be a long-term case study on steroids use. A body builder for most of his life, he affirms that he has known more than 2500 users throughout his colorful career, and none had ever encountered any serious or life threatening side effects. In the same report Clap says: “There is one side effect that is there for absolutely sure, and that is that they work.”13

Anabolic steroids not only help athletes with their levels of strength and stamina, but also to recover from a hard workout more quickly. These synthetic hormones help to reduce the amount of muscle damage that occurs during the session.14For elite athletes, this damage occurs constantly. Their long daily training rituals eventually produce injuries and the over-use of joints can shorten their competitive careers. The technology of steroids, when associated with a proper diet, supplements, and medical orientation can expand by many years an athlete’s career.15


V- Use by athletes “the controversy”

The usage of steroids in sports generates a huge controversy. In one hand it is more and more common to see prestigious athletes using these substances, but on the other hand fans and critics argue about the fairness of their performances. The main concern should not be in what is fair or not, but instead should emphasize that these Elite athletes are compromising their ethics and morals by going against the law. In the end with or without steroids everyone enjoys the results. So, why not give to them the right to have access to that technology without jeopardizing their careers as “cheaters”.

In the seminar “Intelligence Squared” Dr Norman Fost affirms that all of us use PED’s to perform. He gives caffeine, alcohol and Viagra as examples of drugs used on a daily basis by the average human being to perform and function better. He also affirms that athletes have been using PED’s for millenniums to increase their performances, as was discussed here earlier. Dr. Fost identifies six issues as to why doctors and politicians want to completely ban steroids, and also provides his views on how to solve some of them: First, steroids can give to an athlete an unfair advantage. He gives a solution by distributing the advantage for every athlete that wants to increase their performances, by expanding the access to all of their competitors. Second, critics of steroids conclude that these drugs are harmful, however he announces that these statements are fabricated and not based on a real research, as there is no plausible evidence for this. Third would be related to the side effects, as Dr. Fost reinforces that those side effects are neither dangerous nor damaging to health on a fatal level. Fourth, Dr. Fost comments on how steroids use by athletes can take away fan interest in games or competitions. In his opinion this is false, because our culture will always love sports and maybe even get more exited with the athlete’s accomplishments. The fifth reason would be that critics argue that steroid use damages the integrity of the sacred records of our favorite games, he explains that whether an athlete uses steroids or not, he must still be supremely talented and disciplined in order to achieve the proper results. Finally, his last observation is related to children, as in his opinion these drugs are not ever meant for children, because they experience potentially different side effects. Dr Fost declares that those who provide steroids to adolescents and children should be punished.16
One of the most famous cases in this steroid controversy occurred when Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson tested positive for a banned steroid following the 1986 Summer Olympics. Johnson was accused of “cheating”, and was stripped of his gold medal in the 100 meters. Ironically, the gold medal was given to an American athlete named Carl Lewis.
However, shortly after the Olympic episode with Johnson, Carl Lewis was also called before the Olympic Committee to answer for his own positive drug test, as the movie Better, Faster and Stronger describes.17


VI- Conclusion

Remember that taking steroids alone does not give to any athlete the ability to perform amazingly. Anabolic Steroids can help with the healing process and also the development of various tissues in the body, but the determination and endurance are a required combination that only a real athlete will have. That is the reason they are called Elite athletes. An average person cannot understand the amount of pain and sacrifice that some Elite athletes have to go through. Athletes would not risk their integrity and compromise their legal status if steroids did not really work.
Though history people have used steroids and other PED’s to perform. Some of the stories are shady and even sad to remember. But technology in general, and especially pharmaceutical development, have played an important role in increasing life expectancy and created some of the amazing results in sports. The negative side effects were shown to be minimal compared to the falsely related claims in the media about steroids. To begin long-term medical trials and give athletes the right to use this technology legally, would allow use to expand in a safe manner. This is a solution so Elite Athletes will not have to hide and lie. Best of all, they can achieve their best performances with the focus solely on their talent, making their own choices less criticized.


Work Cited Page

1. Moore, Lamont. “Steroids for sport enhancement.” Steroids.org. N. p. N. d. Web. 20 March 2011.

2. Lee,Yu-Hsuan. “ Performance Enhancing Drugs: History, Medical Effects & Policy.” Harvard. N.p. April 2006. 2006: 7, 8. Web. 23 march 2011.

3. Lee,Yu-Hsuan. “ Performance Enhancing Drugs: History, Medical Effects & Policy.” Harvard. N.p. April 2006. 2006: 7, 8. Web. 23 march 2011.

4. Lee,Yu-Hsuan. “ Performance Enhancing Drugs:History, Medical Effects & Policy.” Harvard. N.p. April 2006. 2006: 9. Web. 23 march 2011.

5. Lee,Yu-Hsuan. “ Performance Enhancing Drugs: History, Medical Effects & Policy.” Harvard. N.p. April 2006. 2006: 9-10. Web. 23 march 2011.

6. ”Bigger, stronger, faster (the side effects of being American)”. Starring: Chris Bell. Dir. Chris Bell. 2008. Magnolia. 2008. DVD

7. ALÉN, M., HÄKKINEN, K. and KOMI, P. “Changes in neuromuscular performance and muscle fiber characteristics of elite power athletes self- administering androgenic and anabolic steroids.”Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, 122 (1984). : 535–544. Print.

8. Hartgens F, Kuipers H. “Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes.”
National Institutes of Health . 2004 U.S. National Library of MedicinePubMed. 34(8):513-54. 2004. Web. 21 march 2011.

9. Collins, Rick. “Steroids and Sports: A proactive interview with Dr. Norman Fost, M. D.” Steroidlaw.com.N.p. 2004. Web 21 march 2011.

10. Collins, Rick. “Steroids and Sports: A proactive interview with Dr. Norman Fost, M. D.” Steroidlaw.com.N.p. 2004. Web 21 march 2011.

11.Collins, Rick. “Steroids and Sports: A proactive interview with Dr. Norman Fost, M. D.” Steroidlaw.com.N.p. 2004. Web 21 march 2011.

12. The truth about steroids 1, Feb 26, 2010. HBO. You Tube. Web. 13 march 2011. YouTube - The Truth About Steroids 1

13. The truth about steroids 2, Feb 26, 2010. HBO. You Tube. Web. 13 march 2011.

14. The truth about steroids 2, Feb 26, 2010. HBO. You Tube. Web. 13 march 2011. YouTube - The Truth About Steroids 2

15. Hartgens F, Kuipers H. “Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes.” National Institutes of Health . 2004 U.S. National Library of MedicinePubMed. 34(8):513-54. 2004. Web. 21 march 2011.

16. Steroid Debate: Norman Fost (2 of 14). Jan 20, 2008. Inteligence squared. YouTube. Web. 10 march 2011.

17. ”Bigger, stronger, faster (the side effects of being American)”. Starring: Chris Bell. Dir. Chris Bell. 2008. Magnolia. 2008. DVD

You'd be surprised just how motivated SOME college students are to actually take the time to LEARN while they're on a campus.

Great read. <3 her.

After reading it, she's probaby a PT major or something. Very good paper. Agree with so many of her points it's frustrating that I can't do anything to change folks minds about the MODERATE use of AAS in athletics.

When you think about it.. would they ever legalize Vicodin to help people who NEED it because of the pain they are in?

NO WAY in hell because, simply put, there are idiots out there who will abuse them and ruin it for the people.

Same thing with AAS.