Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Analysis

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Ergogenic aids are anything that enhances work, recovery, or provides an advantage to an athlete (Ahrendt, 2001). Whether it be equipment or supplements, if it benefits the athlete’s performance it is considered an ergogenic aid. About 50% of people use some sort of supplement to improve their strength, endurance, and overall performance in sport (Ahrendt, 2001). Some supplements are allowed on a competitive level, but others are not. Anabolic-androgenic steroids are considered an ergogenic aid, and are not allowed in sports (Kersey et al., 2012).
What are Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids?
Steroids are like hormones. Hormones are naturally occurring in the human body, and are synthesized by endocrine glands. Steroid hormones are made primarily …show more content…

Many people utilize these synthetic steroids to promote tissue growth within the body, primarily in the muscle tissue. They are thought to limit the breakdown of muscle, and reduce inflammation of all body tissues. Anabolic-androgenic steroids may also stimulate human growth hormone. Because of this, they can be utilized to treat certain medical conditions, however they can be abused as well. Some athletes utilize these steroids as an ergogenic aid to improve strength, power and performance in sport (Kersey, et al., 2012). There are only first-hand personal accounts of their beneficial effects, rather than clinical research studies, so it is hard to determine their true benefits (Kutscher, …show more content…

Including inhibiting bone development in adolescents. This can be due to a premature closure of the epiphyseal plate in the long bones of the user (Kersey et al. 2012). Furthermore, recent research has shown that chronic steroid use can be harmful to kidney function. Anabolic-androgenic steroids can cause a condition called proteinuria, in which abnormally high levels of protein are excreted in the urine. Proteinuria is directly related to a decrease in kidney function (Schieszer, 2010). In addition to these side effects, anabolic-androgenic steroids may hindering the immune system, putting abusers at risk for infections. Injection of anabolic-androgen steroids also put people at risk of contracting hepatitis and HIV (Kersey et al.,

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