Steroids in Sports Today Essay example -- Athletes Athletics Drugs Per

Steroids in Sports Today   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The United State is a country that thrives on competition. We idolize our sports stars and practically make major athletic events holidays. Children grow up with their favorite athletes plastered to the wall of their bedrooms and dream that one day they will be the next Barry Bonds, Shaqullie O'Neal, or Tom Brady. Professional athletes train year-round to be in ideal psychical shape in order to perform their best. But what happens when their best just isn't good enough? We expect our sports stars to be perfect, upstanding citizens and role models but this isn't always the case. The recent exposure of athletes using steroids has exploded into a phenomenon involving athletes all around the world. It has cheapened sports and cast doubt on the integrity of our athletes. Steroid use is not exclusive to professional sports. More and more college and high school athletes are beginning to use steroids for many of the same reasons that the pros do; to enhance performance, get an edge on the competition, and improve personal appearance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Non-medical use of anabolic steroids is illegal and banned by most, if not all, professional, intercollegiate, and interscholastic sports organizations. No matter what justifications are given for using steroids, one cannot overlook the fact anabolic steroids can cause serious physical and psychological side effects. So what exactly is this substance that appears in the headlines of our newspaper?s sport section? Anabolic steroids ?are the synthetic derivatives of the naturally occurring male anabolic hormone testosterone? (Wadler 1). Testosterone?s natural effects help a boy going through puberty grow hair, develop a deeper voice, and retain dietary protein, which aids in the development of muscles. Athletes take the drugs ?to primarily increase muscle mass and strength? (Wadler 2). Steroids do not, however, improve agility, skill, or cardiovascular capacity. Steroids can be taken orally or they can be injected. Most recently, the steroid of choice has been the k ind that is injected and is short-lasting and water-soluble. Many steroids that come in the oral form have proven to be hazardous to the liver, but as Dr. Wadler explains, ?injectable steroids aren?t free of side-effects either. There is no free ride and there is a price to be paid with either form.? Some effects in men of frequent ... ...bout the steroid controversy, the reasons behind the phenomenon is basically universal. Athletes are always striving to be the best and to take their game to the next level. Steroids may drastically enhance their performance and give them a valuable competitive edge. Because so much attention and money is directed towards professional athletics, athletes are now more than ever in the public?s spot light. Today, like it or not, the athletes that take steroids get most of the attention. Children dream of being the next superstar, but will future superstars be clean or will steroids continue to dominate professional sports? Only time will tell. Bibliography Barczy, Jason ?Olrich Centers Study on Steroids.? Central Michigan Life 8 April 2005 ?Drugs and Sports: Anabolic Steroids.? Sept. 2004   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  URL http://espn.go.com/special/s/drugsandsports/steroids.html Fahey, T.D. ?Anabolic-androgenic steroids: mechanism of action and effects on performance.? Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine and Science 1998 Farmer, Sam ?Haslett: steroid use rampant in old NFL.? Los Angeles Times 24 March 2005 Straka, Mike ?Grrr! ? Steroids Not the Issue.? Dec. 2004   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  URL http://www.foxnews.com