Steroids

Andrew Spruill

SPHE319

Midterm paper

Are Athletes Looking Good and Doing Better with Anabolic Steroids?

In today’s society the obsession with winning and our body image has led many to partake in the use of Anabolic Steroids and performance enhancing drugs. Superstars like Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and Marion Jones have all been suspected or caught using some sort of performance enhancing drugs. Unfortunately, it is not only a problem with adult athletes, but teenagers as well. Thousands of young men and women are turning to illegal anabolic steroids and performance enhancers in an attempt to emulate their favorite sports hero. Why anyone would be willing to risk their health and even their lives by taking steroids is easy to answer. The popularity of a winner and a “perfect body” has become an obsession.

From Hulk Hogan to Arnold Scwartzenegear, athletes have been taking steroids longer than most people realize. “These hormones, engineered by pharmaceutical companies, were introduced in the 1950’s to treat victims of certain muscle wasting diseases and anemia and to prevent muscle atrophy in patients immobilized after surgery” (Marieb, 2009, p. 203). It started when people were convinced that high doses of testosterone, which is a natural anabolic steroid produced in the body, would enhance masculinizing effects in men. Anabolic Steroids are used throughout various competition and sports. Olympians, pro bodybuilders, National Football League players, and Major League Baseball players have all been caught or admitted using anabolic steroids. These athletes have cited many advantages they claim the steroids gave them. “Advantages include increased muscle mass and strength, increased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, and an increase of aggressive behavior (the killer instinct)” (Marieb, 2009, p. 203). There have been many studies done on the body...