About Athlete Steroid Use

Steroids are chemicals that increase muscle and body mass. They are prescribed medications that can be used for medical purposes. However, they are sometimes used by athletes to enhance their ability to perform. The effects of steroid use are far-reaching. They impact more than just the athlete who uses them. Victories, records and even history can be changed dramatically as a result.

Function

Steroids can be injected into the bloodstream or taken orally. There are legal medical uses such as to stimulate bone growth and appetite. They may also be prescribed to sufferers of asthma, cancer or AIDS. However, when used by athletes without a prescription, their use is to enhance performance. Specifically, athletes increase their size and strength by using them. This enables them to do such things as hit a baseball harder and farther, run faster or lift heavier weights.

Features

Use of steroids is illegal unless prescribed by a doctor to treat a medical condition. Athletes who use steroids illegally are often seeking to grow larger faster. They tend to have unrealistic expectations of themselves. Sometimes these expectations are caused or influenced by family, friends, the media or other athletes. Competition among other athletes may also contribute to the use.

Effects

Steroid use can have physical and psychological effects. Physical side effects include, but are not limited to, acne, high blood pressure, liver damage and muscle cramps. Males may suffer from impotence and females can experience a disruption in their menstrual cycle. Psychological effects such as the likelihood and severity of aggressive behavior, mood swings, depression, panic attacks and anxiety may occur.

Warning

The effectiveness of steroids may be relied upon to accomplish goals that may be otherwise unattainable, such as trophies, medals, titles or championships. However, these things can and have been taken away from professional athletes. Also, athletes testing positive for steroids can be disqualified from competing at all. In addition, although the side effects caused by steroid use are usually short term and vanish when steroids are no longer used, permanent damage is possible.

Prevention/Solution

Prevention of steroid use involves a multitude of factors. Random drug testing of athletes is needed to identify steroid users. Stricter penalties are also needed to act as a deterrent. Athletes should set realistic goals for themselves and accept their limitations. A sports psychologist can help with this. Finally, athletes should have a trainer or another health professional from whom to obtain advice.

Resources

• Medicine Net