Anabolic steroid use among athletes
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Anabolic steroid use among those athletes concerned with chemically improving their performance is both physically and emotionally risky. This paper will show that the athlete often overlooks the physical and emotional risks in an effort to gain power and strength. First, the physical effects of anabolic steroid use will be discussed, followed by the emotional toll that withdrawal from steroids may take. The fact that steroid use is physically and emotionally dangerous is only one facet to be considered, however; it will also be shown that such a chemical advantage in athletic competition is unethical, and for this reason alone, steroid use must remain curtailed. Steroids are fatlike organic compounds which enter the cell nucleus to help determine the manufacture of specific proteins. These specific proteins, enhanced by steroid use, are responsible for increased body and muscular growth. The anabolic effects of anabolic steroids relate to their ability to induce protein synthesis in muscle cells and to stimulate the release of endogenous growth hormone, which has significant anabolic effects as well. Anabolic steroids, referring to any of a group of usually synthetic hormones which increase constructive metabolism to produce gains in size and strength, do not improve an athlete's aerobic performance, or cardiovascular fitness. As Haupt explains, "The anabolic effects of anabolic steroids relate to their ability to induce protein synthesis in muscle cells, and to st
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ge from steroid withdrawal or the unethical influence of steroid use in the sporting arena. Haupt's article in The American Journal of Sports Medicine, quoted extensively in the above sections, was the exception, and he acknowledges, "Coaches, trainers, and the athletes themselves are frequently confused about the effects of these drugs . . . it is important that the information disseminated be concise and factual" (Haupt 468). Haupt saw a gap in the literature and popular understanding of steroids, and sought to fill it. There is a reasonable explanation for the lack of sound, scientific information on the subject in the popular literature--people's objections to steroid use on ethical grounds outweighs their medical concern. In addition, as has been discussed, the adverse effects of use are reversible for the most part--if the athlete can psychologically disassociate him- or herself from their use.
There are significant adverse psychological effects associated with the use of anabolic steroids, although the effects are not easily measured by current psychological inventories (Bahrke, Wright, & Strauss 717). According to Haupt, the following description aptly characterizes the steroid user, despite much generality:
Athlet
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2114
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)
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