Anabolic Steroids and its Affect on Modern Athletes

Developed in 1931 Anabolic-androgenic Steroids or just Anabolic Steroids have become a controversial topic among society. The word “anabolic” means growing or building which was the full intention of the development of anabolic steroids. They were first used in the early 1930’s to stimulate bone growth and enhance male sexual characterizes. In its development steroids underwent several changes and enhancements. When first developed steroids began with the isolation of testicular extract. This first development of the anabolic steroid was achieved by a chemist called Adolf Blutenandt. In later years steroids were synthesized by a chemist named Leopold Ruzicka. This hormone that was extracted from the stem of the testicles became known as Testosterone. Human testing of anabolic steroids began soon after the isolation of testosterone. It was reported that during World War II Nazi soldiers were injected

with steroids to increase stamina and endurance. Adolf Hitler himself was said to have been injected with testosterone in order to treat several infirmities. Sports and steroids have become a major topic in events like the Olympics and Baseball. Why exactly do athletes use anabolic steroids? The use of anabolic steroids by athletes is in hope that it will help them improve their performance. There are several forms in which steroids can appear. The four most common forms in which steroids can be administered are: pills, injections, creams or gels, and skin patches. Dosing is done in cycles of several weeks, with a pause in between; this method of taking steroids is called “cycling”. Using several different types of steroids at the same time is called “stacking”. Gradually increasing the amount of use to reach a peak is called “Pyramiding”. People and athletes who abuse steroids take doses that are often ten to one-hundred times higher than what would be medically safe. Anabolic steroids can have several unwanted side effects. It has been determined that the use of steroids can cause someone to become highly aggressive. This aggression and hypomania came to be known as “roid rage”. Other negative side effects include: enlargement of the heart, infertility, bone maturation and hypertension. The enlargement of the heart can cause hypertension, congestive heart failure, heart attack and eventually cardiac death. One of the major side effects of steroids use is that I can also cause a person to fall into a depressive state. Depression if no treated can be extremely dangerous

and eventually lead to suicide. Over the years anabolic steroids have played a controversial part in major sports. In recent years a lot of the steroid focus has fallen onto Major League Baseball and Cycling. The Olympics have also been under fire due to anabolic steroids. In the 2012 London Games, eleven athletes were disqualified for the use of anabolic steroids. Major League Baseball over the years have revealed many athletes who abused illegal steroids. According to the book “The Steroid Game” in 1991 Fay Vincent baseball’s commissioner issued a memo to every major league club stating that all illegal drug use by players was strictly prohibited. In 2000 The New York Times reported that steroids were “rampant” in baseball. In 2002 Sports Illustrated Magazine said “ baseball had become a pharmacological trade show”. In the article the author points out that in every other sport in America athletes are tested for steroids expect for Baseball. One year after the issue of Sports Illustrated issued the Baseball commission decided to implement tests