Performance Enhancing Substances

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, because performance enhancing drugs promote rapid muscle growth that result in loss of immune system structure, they pose a considerable health risk to the athlete. Nonetheless, steroids and nutritional supplements have been widely used by professional athletes and teen athletes to enhance physical appearance, increase muscle mass and size and give more energy thus improving performance. The paper points out the social problems created by these drugs and describes programs that attempt to curtail the use.

Table of Contents:
Health Risks; Benefits vs. Adverse Health Effects
Society Effects of Performance Enhancing Substances
Education and Youth
College and Professional Athletics
Overall Implications of Athletes Using Performance Enhancing Substances

From the Paper:

"The risks of using these supplements out weigh the benefits. Creatine is one over the counter supplement that has many side effects including stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and muscle cramps, kidney, liver or heart problems and possibly high blood pressure. When taking these supplements the muscles begin to draw water away from the rest of the body and this can cause serious dehydration. Another supplement, Androstenedione, which has been banned and is considered "a controlled substance", has negative side effects as well testicular atrophy in males and lessened sperm count."

Sample of Sources Used:

• ACHA Guidelines; Drug Education/Testing of Students Athletes. (1994, Nov 19). Retrieved Nov 13, 2005, from www.//Education.yahoo.com.
• American Heritage(r) Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition; definition of "athlete", Copyright (c) 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. www.yahoo.com
• Associated Press, Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve, April 26, 2004
• ESPN.com News Services; Report; BALCO owner admits supplying steroids www.sports.espn.go.com
• Marcario, John. "Bigger Bodies Equals Bigger Risks." The American Observer 10 (2005).

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• Argumentative Essay # 57451 : "Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports"

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