How do anabolic steroids work in the body? Who uses anabolic steroids and why? How prevalent is the use of steroids? Which anabolic drugs does the NCAA ban? Are there any differences between oral and injectable steroids? |
Anabolic Steroids What
are anabolic steroids? * Anabolic = growing or building Most healthy males produce between 2 to 10 milligrams of testosterone a day. The hormone's anabolic effect promotes retention of nitrogen, and this helps muscle growth. It helps the male reproductive system to grow during puberty, assists with the growth of body hair, and the deepening of the voice. Today, anabolic steroids are chemically manufactured. Steroids can be administered by injection, or can be taken orally. Injectable steroids are longer lasting in the body and can be detected in the body for a longer period of time. How
do anabolic steroids work in the body? Who
uses anabolic steroids and why? Some individuals use steroids because they perceive that increased muscle mass improves their appearance (Yesalis, 1998). Mottram (1996) has suggested that social norms about "bigger being better," feelings of inadequacy, and low self-esteem may influence the younger generation's use of steroids . How
prevalent is the use of steroids? Which
anabolic drugs does the NCAA ban? (And other agents) For more information on banned steroids please visit the NCAA web site. (to top) What are the different
types of anabolic steroids? Are there any differences between oral and injectable steroids? Oral Steroids: Injectable Steroids: What
medical uses do anabolic steroids have? Can
anabolic steroids affect a student athlete's health? * cancer of the liver, prostate,
kidney According to Yesalis (1998), "although there has been an alleged small decline in the ranks of Division I male college athletes who use steroids, the number of women athletes who use steroids has grown, a worrisome fact because they are highly vulnerable to permanent damage." Information from NCAA, http://www.drugfreesport.com/choices/supplements/index.html |
When
athletes use steroids they might believe that steroids will give them
a "winning edge," in developing their power and strength, and
increase recovery from heavy workouts. Fuller and LaFountain (1987) found
that athletes rationalized their use by trying to justify that using steroids
caused no harm either to themselves or to others. Also, individuals perceived
their competitors were taking anabolic drugs, so they needed to use to
compete at the same level.
Surveys and anecdotal evidence indicate that the rate of non-medical steroid
use may be increasing. Reports of steroid use indicate that between 250,000
and 1 million individuals use. According to Yesalis (1998) more than 300,000
used steroids during one year. The National Institute of Health (1999)
reported that 2.9% of 12th graders used steroids.