Where there is a prize, some people will cheat. It’s the way of the world and if nothing else, it makes life less predictable.
Steroid use in the past was something specific to the big roiders in the gym, looking at themselves in the mirror, admiring their muscles they have done nothing to achieve. But over time they have developed to help any athlete looking to gain an advantage…and even our local LESA warden, who looks very buff!
Performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) can provide a number of unfair advantages to athletes. These advantages can include increased muscle mass and strength, improved endurance, and faster recovery times.
Anabolic steroids, for example, are synthetic hormones that can mimic the effects of testosterone in the body. They can increase muscle mass and strength, allowing athletes to lift heavier weights and perform more intense workouts. This can lead to improved athletic performance in sports that require strength and power, such as weightlifting and football.
Stimulants, such as amphetamines, can also provide an unfair advantage by increasing energy levels and reducing fatigue. This can allow athletes to train harder and longer, allowing them to perform better in endurance sports like long distance running or cycling.
Some PEDs, such as erythropoietin (EPO), can increase the number of red blood cells in the body, which can improve oxygen delivery to the muscles. This can lead to enhanced endurance and improved performance in endurance sports such as cycling and long distance running.
In addition to these physical advantages, PEDs can also provide psychological benefits. For example, some PEDs can increase aggression and confidence, which can be beneficial in contact sports like boxing.
Another advantage of PEDs is that they can help athletes recover more quickly from injuries. For example... some PEDs can promote the healing of broken bones, torn muscles, and other injuries. This can allow athletes to return to their sport more quickly and with less risk of further injury.
PEDs can also help athletes overcome their natural physical limitations. For example...a runner with a naturally low red blood cell count may take EPO to improve their endurance.
As with most drugs, what goes up must come down and PEDs have some serious downsides. Short term side effects can include acne, hair loss, and mood swings. Long term side effects can be even more serious, including heart disease, liver damage, and even cancer. Moreover, PEDs can also lead to addiction and psychological dependence.
PEDs can be detected through testing, and athletes who test positive for PEDs can face severe penalties, including suspension from their sport, fines, and even criminal charges. The use of PEDs also undermines the integrity of the sports, as it gives an unfair advantage to those who use them and discredits the achievements of clean athletes.
In conclusion, while performance enhancing drugs can give athletes an unfair advantage in terms of physical performance, the risks and penalties outweigh any potential benefits. The use of PEDs is illegal, harmful to the health, and undermines the integrity of sports.
Although I am ridiculously competitive, for me it’s just cheating. I can’t see any value in achieving something with the body, that the mind knows is fake…and I’m scared of needles!!