FREE ESSAY ON THE USE OF PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS IN SPORTS

THE USE OF PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS IN SPORTS

Steven Egg
English Composition 100
Dr. Fergal O'Doherty
November 
A Causal Analysis: The Use of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports
Is the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports dangerous? To what degree do these
drugs really enhance strength, size, training ability, and muscular performance? Not only
are the answers to these questions still unclear, they are the subjects of deep
controversy.
In order to understand why we are confronted with the problem of performance-enhancing
drug use in athletics today, we must look at the history of the development of anabolic
steroids: a group of powerful synthetic chemical compounds that resemble the natural male
sex hormones (Schwarzenneger 722). 
Anabolic steroids were first developed in the 1930's as a therapeutic drug to treat
growth hormone replacement in deficient children, menopausal symptoms, impotence, and the
retardation of the effects of aging by stimulating the rate of synthesis of protein
molecules (Biology 121 Web Project 1). These steroids are a simulated testosterone
hormone of the "steroid hormone" group. The steroid hormones (which are also produced
naturally) are synthesized from cholesterol. Most simply understood, the hormones
function by passing from the blood stream into individual cells where they bind to a
receptor and activate certain genes that cause the production of a protein, especially
muscle proteins (et. al.). 
By the late 1940's, bodybuilders had discovered the effects of testosterone as a means to
stimulate muscle growth and to make themselves train with more intensity and aggression
(Schwarzenneger 723). In 1953, the first truly synthetic anabolic steroid was developed,
having a strength-building effect three to five times higher than testosterone. From
bodybuilders to other athletes, steroid use quickly gained popularity as the number of
people who used them continued to rise (Biology 121 Web Project 1). In the 1960 Olympic
games, the International Olympic Committee, for the first time, detected a case of
steroid use-a Russian cyclist collapsed and died after using steriods (Meoreira de Araujo
1). At the 1972 Olympic games, a large number of athletes from a variety of sports were
interviewed about their drug use and a total of 68 percent admitted to using anabolic
steroids (Schwarzenneger 723). Throughout the 1960's, 1970's, and 1980's, additional
forms of anabolic steroids were developed despite a number of scientific studies being
conducted on the effectiveness and dangers of their use (et. al.). 
Today, it is common knowledge that steroids cause some bodily harm. However, not everyone
is familiar with the extent of the possible side effects. Listed below are several
examples: (Meoreira de Araujo 5).
? Altered liver function caused by the stress placed on the liver while trying to remove
steroids from the blood.
? Jaundice, peliosis hepatitis, hemorrhaging, and liver cancer are possible with
prolonged use.
? Alteration of cardiovascular function: Effects include changes in the clotting of
blood, atherosclerosis, and higher levels of cholesterol.
? Reduction of natural testosterone production.
? Increase of male sexual characteristics in females, such as, increased body hair,
atrophied breasts, and deepening of the voice.
? Gastrointestinal disorders, including loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, and
bloating.
? Muscle cramps
? Aggression
? Headaches and nosebleeds
? Gynecomastia (development of breastlike tissue in males).
? Increased susceptibility to tendon injuries.
Now that the history and effects of steroid use have been explained, I believe the
following to be the causes of steroid use: 
1. Fear of the competition.
2. Physical appearance.
Dr. James E. Wright, a noted authority on the subject of steroid use in athletics, states
"more than 90 percent of athletes in strength-related sports are using these drugs
today." And, according to Arnold Schwarzenneger, the main reason athletes take them is
"because they know their competition is taking them and they don't want to give away an
advantage." (723). Many beginner and intermediate bodybuilders, for example, who hear
that the champions are using steroids, believe that they too can make enormous gains by
taking these drugs. Studies done, however, on the effect of steroids do not bear this out
(et. al.). Steroids have their greatest effect on size and strength only when the athlete
has plateaued-that is, made about as much gain as possible without the use of drugs.
Trained individuals respond to steroids much better than untrained ones. Gains are also
maximized if training very hard during the period of steroid use. In either case,
athletes (trained or untrained) who fear each other's competition are none-the-less
putting themselves at great health risks (Schwarzenneger 724). 
The second cause of steroid use is the need for a more desirable physical appearance.
Over the last ten years, the use of drugs in sports has become epidemic and their use is
not only limited in top athletes. It is now being used by non-competition athletes for a
quick and easy body image make-over (Meoreira de Araujo 5). An alarming statistic is
about the age when people start to use these drugs. A review conducted at a Michigan high
school (Buckley and Yesalis 1988) reported a 3 percent use rate-5 percent of the males
and 1 percent of the females use or had used anabolic steroids. What is more, Buckley and
Yesalis also found that over two-thirds of the users initiated steroids when they were
sixteen years old or younger and improvement of "physical appearance" was the main reason
for 90 percent of the users (Meoreira de Araujo 5). According to General Barry McCaffrey,
Director of the White House Drug Policy, the fear is that America's children will emulate
the athletes in the big-time leagues who develop giant muscles and look good in their
uniforms, only to undermine their future health (Vecsey 2). "Teenagers should never take
anabolic steroids in an attempt to increase their physical appearance," states Arnold
Schwarzenneger. During the teenage years, young adults, especially males are already in
their most anabolic state, with testosterone flooding the system. Adding synthetic
anabolics at this point is totally unnecessary. Additionally, steroids tend to close over
the ends of growing bones. A teenager who has not yet achieved his/her total growth may
find that steroids prevent him/her from growing to full height and this effect is totally
irreversible (725).
In conclusion, we are confronted with the problem of steroid use in sports today because
of the aforementioned fear of the competition and the desire to improve physical
appearance. We must create both national and international task forces aimed at educating
the youth of the world and this country about the use steroids. 
Works Cited
"Anabolic Steroids How They Work: History of Use in Sports: Side Effects and Links."
Biology 121 Web Project/Anabolic Steroids. 9 Nov. 2000. 6 Nov. 2000
*http://www.people.virginia.edu/ abs9f/*. 
Meoreira de Araujo, Mario Cesar and Marcelo R. Facio. "The Use of Anabolic/Androgenic
Steroids by Athletes." Use of Anabolic/Androgenic Steroids by Athletes MEDSTUDENTS-SPC. 9
Nov. 2000. 6 Nov. 2000 *http://www.medstudents.com.br/sport2.htm*. 
Schwarzenegger, Arnold. Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding. New York: Simon and
Schuster, 1987.
Vecsey, George. "The Real Goal is Protecting the Children." The New York Times 17 Sept.
2000, col. Sports of the Times: 1-3. 18 Sept. 2000
*http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?TS=969323324&RQT=309&CC=1&Dtp=1&Did=000000060561967&Mtd=1&Fmt=*.