sonalities that allow more intense training sessions (468).
Due to the chemical nature of steroids, they have the greatest effect on an athlete who is already in an overtrained state. That is to say, "athletes who have reached an overtrained state before beginning steroid use are likely to realize the greatest gains in size and strength" (Haupt 468). Haupt maintains, "the most profound effects of steroids are on the athlete who has trained heavily . . . before use of the steroids, continues to train during the use of the steroids, and maintains a diet adequate in both carbohydrates and protein" (468).
Steroid users may either inject or take the compounds orally--injected steroids are detectable longer after being received, however. A steroid user who wishes to avoid detection will be drawn to the oral method, but with greater risk. Haupt cautions, "The orally active compounds have more adverse effects associated with their use, particularly regarding liver effects, as compared with the parenterally active compounds" (469). In addition to their effect on the liver, other adverse side effects of steroids are the following: reproductive system effects in male and female users, increased risk for cardiovascular disease, alterations in immunological status and thyroid function, the potential for tendon degeneration with associated tendon tears, gynecomastia, acne, and the transmission of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) (Haupt 469).
Males taking steroids may appear hypermasculine, but they are, in fact, decreasing in levels of testosterone, sperm production, and testicular health. Other effects on the male athlete are an acceleration of male pattern baldness, altered libido, acne, and the development of gynecomastia, or the condition of breast development in men (Haupt 470). Haupt further reports recent incidents of both strokes and myocardial infarctions occurring in athletes taking anabolic steroids for prolon...