There is no doubt that the use of steroids is harmful to a sportsman’s health. In the same token, athletes who use any form of performance-enhancing drugs (PED) often gain short-term strength, which is somewhat above the average and expected level. However, Smith (2012) denotes that it does not affect the skill of a person. It means that skills must be acquired through training regardless of the use of PEDs or steroids. Understanding the PED’s impacts, statistics of use, and the reason of use is critical to unearth the truth behind PEDs.
According to de Souza & Hallak (2011), the utilization of steroids enhances metabolisms and functions of the heart rate and growth of muscles. For this reason, an athlete would use the drug to gain a specific level of strength, which in this view, would be considered somehow above his or her usual level as well as those of peers. In the same area of discussion, a study by Baggish et al. (2010) found out that the human growth hormone (HGH) offers support for vigorous muscle growth and development through fostering Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) levels.
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Regarding impact, PEDs reduces the sexual drive of a person through affecting the endocrine system. Therefore, abusers often face shrinking testicles and erection dysfunctions since their body cannot produce enough testosterone. As for women, the effects include shrinking breasts, irritability, too much body hair, mood swings, and enlarged clitorises (De Souza & Hallak, 2011). Other extreme effects may shut the functionalities of the heart, kidney, and liver, which may halt an athlete’s dream. Statistically, individuals who have been found to be using PEDs often have optimal performances, but in the long run, they often face devastating effects.
On the whole, PEDs of any form are harmful to athletes. As much as they do not have a direct impact on the sportsman’s performances, the consequences are dreadful. Short-term merits entail increment in the strength of an individual and muscle growth. However, athletes often face daunting implications of PEDs use. Frightful effects include impacts on the liver and heart. Similarly, women often face disruption in their reproductive organs.
References
Baggish, A. L., Weiner, R. B., Kanayama, G., Hudson, J. I., Picard, M. H., Hutter Jr, A. M., & Pope Jr, H. G. (2010). Long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid use is associated with left ventricular dysfunction. Circulation: Heart Failure, 3(4), 472-476.
De Souza, G. L., & Hallak, J. (2011). Anabolic steroids and male infertility: a comprehensive review. BJU international , 108 (11), 1860-1865.
Smith, C. (2012). Why It's Time To Legalize Steroids In Professional Sports. Forbes. com
