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Ending Steroid Usage In Sports

Why do people use steroids? Let’s first take a look at the definition of steroids before we try to answer this question. Steroids are the synthetic derivatives of the hormone testosterone, testosterone has two primarily functions. The first is androgenic, and the second is anabolic. The androgenic function of testosterone is to promote the development of male sex characteristics. The anabolic function of testosterone is responsible for the acceleration of muscle growth (Potteiger A. 1994). Now that we know the definition of steroids, we can try to answer the question above. Steroids are mainly used to improve athletic performance but are also used to improve physical appearance by non athletes. Steroids are used by some athletes so that they can make the team, become a starter, land that scholarship, get that big fat contract, break world records, and so that they can win gold medals. It is estimated that 1 to 3 million US athletes are taking steroids (Calfee 2006). Non athletes use steroids to improve physical appearance, which gives them the confidence to finally ask that hot girl/guy out. Steroids used to be a grown up problem, it seemed like only professional, Olympic, and collegiate athletes used them. What’s surprising is that steroid users are getting younger and younger, some start before they are even ten years old. Kids are starting to use steroids at such an early age because they want to be just like their idols, they want to be the next Lebron James and jump from high school to the pros, like Carmelo Anthony and lead their collegiate program to the championship, like Barry Bonds and break the home run record, or like Peyton Manning and land the fat contract, with so much money on the line, and with so many of their idols being accused of using performance enhancing drugs its no wonder why kids turn to steroids at such an early age. To stop these kids from using steroids, all professional sports need to implement a lifetime ban of players...