With the approach of the Olympic games this is bound be become an increasingly predominate subject.
The underlying factors are that using Anabolic steroids allow competitors to gain muscle size, speed, endurance strength and growth substantially bigger than without.
This is due to the increase of testosterone which allows the muscle to repair quicker after training, thus the athlete can work out day after day and achieve results far beyond the means of the natural ability of the human body.
The downside- speculated- increase in cholesterol levels leading to heart attack, liver and kidney dysfunction due to cysts and tumors developing on the organs, increased pressure on the heart, in men, acne development over the back and forehead, increased fatty tissue around the breast area, and decreased testis size due to the body beginning to rely on an artificial source of testosterone it stops creating its own. In women, increased facial hair, baldness, smaller breasts and hardening and enlargement of the clitoris.
The long term dangers of steroids cannot be proven, due to the unethical factors regarding studies of this nature, the data that is there is largely observational and post data. It is however correlation-ally strong in its conclusion that The benefits of taking such drugs are not without large health costs to the individual.
So why do it? Fame? Glory?
It is very easy for us to shun an athlete found guilty of taking artificially body enhancing drugs such as steroids. But on the flip side that is just the same as blaming a pop star for attention seeking.
We love to watch fellow members of the human race smash physical barriers of speed, agility endurance.We glorify those who can run faster, longer and stronger. We cheer when the man of the match scores. We throw money and celebrity at the latest record breaker and we admire those who represent or country in world competitions.
Then they shatter the illusion for us, and we ruin them for it.
I cannot endorse the use of drugs, but i can give it credit for allowing us a glimpse of just what the human body can be capable of. Those that have taken such drugs may have selfishly conned us into believing that they are wonderful , skilful and dedicated athletes, but they have also provided us with greater understanding of the mechanisms of the human body, thrilled us and entertained us with their physical greatness.
The cost endured at the end of their careers, is only to themselves, in the detriment of their own physical and mental well-being
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