Rational

Lucas Hernandez

English 102 – 1:00P.M. Section

Dr. Sonia Apgar Begert

27 Feb.  2014

My Topic: Steroids (specifically anabolic steroids) are generally used for their muscle gaining properties and increase in testosterone levels. Through sports steroids are used through their beneficial properties of increasing the athlete’s strength, speed, and endurance. Sports such as Baseball, Bodybuilding, and Track and Field have records of athletes using steroids illegally. This paper will be looking into whether our society should allow steroids in sports and if so, what will be the side effects of this: How do male athletes differ from female athletes when using steroids? Do steroids negatively affect the health of individuals under the age of 18? If steroids where legalized to an extent, who would be the most likely to receive the drugs? Steroids could possibly make out sports industry that much more exciting, but at what cost?

What I think about my Topic: I chose this topic because I’ve always been interested in the human body and bodybuilding in general. It’s obvious that majority of amateur and pro bodybuilders (if not all) abuse steroids. So I chose steroids as my topic because it’s a very controversial subject among bodybuilders and athletes in general.

What I know about my Topic:  I know that steroids (specifically anabolic steroids) are generally used for their muscle gaining properties and increase in testosterone levels. Through sports steroids are used through their beneficial properties of increasing the athlete’s strength, speed, and endurance. Sports such as Baseball, Bodybuilding, and Track and Field have records of athletes using steroids illegally.

Claim: Steroids are far to abused in our sports industry. I believe that athletes are pushed to their absolute level in competition and will do anything in order to gain the edge on their particular sport, including using illegal performance enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids. Steroids should continue to be banned from sports and athletes (including bodybuilders) should be penalized when tested positive for the drug.

I)                   Brief overview: Steroids are negative for bother genders, but females are far more at risk to the health risks imposed by the usage of steroids.

a)     Explain animal studies vs. human trials and the dosage amount recommended for athletes or patients with low testosterone levels. (Fred Hartgens)

b)      Describe the effects steroids have physically, and performance wise…(Thomas D. Fahey)

c)      Drastic situation of the absolute worst that could happen through females using and abusing steroids (Ruthe Styles)

II)                These has been several reports of young athletes, ages 8 to 18, who have been taking or have taken AA Steroids.

a)     Young athletes from ages 8 to 18 should never use performance enhancing drugs.

i)                   Causes growth defects, premature puberty, acne… etc.

b)    Explain that young athletes frequently use ergogenic (meaning supplements) aids to improve their performance and increase their chances of winning in competition. (Mark Silver)

i)                   Supplements from simple protein shakes, creatine supplements, and eventually AA Steroids to further their gains.

ii)                 Describe that creatine and other performance enhancing supplements

c)     Show how eager young competitors are to get the edge on their sport, and the consequences of taking the easy way. (Calfee, Ryan)

III)              If steroids are to be legalized for recreational use they must be regulated and supplied by a doctor to give expert advice on the usage of the drugs.

a)     Usage, dosage, history, prescription, and effects of AA steroids. (Anabolic Bible)

IV)             Steroids could possibly make our sports industry much more exciting, but at what cost?

a)     Explain health risks along with benefits of the drug. Though the health risks are great, steroids are still under consideration for recreational use. (Kirk Mango) 

i)                   Manic depression, hair loss, fatty nipples, sleeps loss… etc.

ii)                  Olympic committee under discussion (Kirk Mango)

b)    Consequences of being caught using steroids illegally in the Olympics. (Jack Phillips)

i)                   Stripped of Olympic medal, banned from Olympic games

 How do male athletes differ from female athletes when using steroids? Do steroids negatively affect the health of individuals under the age of 18? If steroids where legalized to an extent, who would be the most likely to receive the drugs? Steroids could possibly make out sports industry that much more exciting, but at what cost?

I)                   Introduction: Steroids (specifically anabolic steroids) are generally used for their muscle gaining properties and increase in testosterone levels. Anabolic steroids are used for their beneficial properties of increasing the athlete’s strength, speed, and endurance. Sports such as Baseball, Bodybuilding, and Track and Field have records of athletes using steroids illegally. Steroids are far to abused in our sports industry. Athletes are pushed to their absolute level in competition and will do anything in order to gain the edge on their particular sport, including using illegal performance enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids. Steroids should continue to be banned from sports and athletes, including bodybuilders, should be penalized when tested positive for the drug. The best action we can take is to educate parents, primary care physicians, coaches, and kids of the drastic, long term side effects of steroid use. This paper will be underlining the serious issues with steroids abuse in athletes, bodybuilders, and young adults.

Review of Literature (in prog.)

Steroids (specifically anabolic steroids) are generally used for their muscle gaining properties and increase in testosterone levels. Anabolic steroids are used for their beneficial properties of increasing the athlete’s strength, speed, and endurance. Sports such as Baseball, Bodybuilding, and Track and Field have records of athletes using steroids illegally. The articles in my research dealt with the following three categories: Side effects of steroids, steroids on male athletes, and steroids on female athletes.

Steroids are a very beneficial drug used for the treatment of a variety of illnesses that involve inflammation in the body such as allergic reactions or rashes. The most commonly abused steroids are anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). AAS are commonly abused in sports that require a large amount of muscle endurance such as track and field or bodybuilding. Though many athletes use these drugs illegally, my research has shown that a large amount of these athletes are aware of the side effects and continue using regardless. For example, in Fred Hartgens’ article, “Effects of Androgenic-Anobolic Steroids in Athletes,” which appeared in a 2004 addition of Sports Medicine  he goes into detail about the effects of athletes using steroids, pros and cons. They explain animal studies vs. human trials and the dosage amount recommended for athletes or patients with low testosterone levels. Another similar article was “Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids: Mechanism of Action and Effects on Performance” which also appeared in Sports Medicine  by Thomas D. Fahey, this article was very similar to Fred Hartgens’ writing, but went into more depth about steroid abuse using pictures to describe how anabolic steroids work. Also explained the effects steroids have psychologically, physically, and performance wise… (Elaborate further with more sources)

Many sources look specifically at male athletes; male athletes are more prone to using steroids because of the increase in muscle mass and masculine features AAS can provide. In the professional world of bodybuilding every single athlete has taken AAS at one point in their life. An interview between a pro bodybuilder (who remains unnamed) and David Robson of Bodybuilding.com was conducted on Aug. 16, 2006. This interview dove into the secret life of a bodybuilder who was currently using AA steroids; he went into detail about his usage, the dosage he takes, and the side effects of using steroids. This interview really interested me because it gives you firsthand experience on the life of a doper who is very educated in steroids and knows the risk he’s taking. Another article called “How to Spot a Steroid User” from SteroidAbuse.Com shows pictures and graphs on the outward physical effects of steroids on males, and how to easily spot a steroid abuser.

The risks of females using steroids greatly outweigh the risks of males. When female athletes use steroids they’re increasing their testosterone levels by more than 20 times its normal amount. This is an important topic for my research because 

Annotated Bib.

1.     Hartgens, Fred, and Harm Kuipers "Effects of Androgenic-Anabolic

Steroids in Athletes." Sports Medicine 34.8 (2004): 513-554.Web. 13 Feb, 2014.

Dr. Fred Hartgens and Harm Kuipers go into detail about the effects of athletes using steroids, pros and cons. They explain animal studies vs. human trials and the dosage amount recommended for athletes or patients with low testosterone levels. This article will help me and the reader understand the basics of steroids and they’re usage. I plan on using this article to begin my paper explaining the purpose of steroids and the basics of how they’re used.

2. Thomas D. Fahey “Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids: Mechanism of Action and Effects on Performance” Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine and Science 7 March, 1998. Web. 14 Feb, 2014.

This web article explains how steroids affect an athlete’s performance and body composition, both positively and negatively. The article goes into detail using pictures to describe how anabolic steroids work. Describes the effects steroids have psychologically, physically, and performance wise. This web article will grant me further knowledge on how the steroid drugs work and allow me to forward that information to the reader, showing them that it is from a reliable source.

3.  United States. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Research Report: Anabolic Steroid Abuse, Aug. 2006. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

This is a very useful report on steroid abuse. Provides graphs on young males using steroids ages 8-12 and effects, tables on the most commonly abused steroids, and tables on the possible health consequences on adult males. Also goes into detail on steroid effects on the liver, skin, hormonal system, cardiovascular system, etc. I will use the graphs in this report to visually stimulate the reader and to get my point through more thoroughly on steroids in adolescence.

4. Robinson, David  “Steroid Undercover: A Pro Bodybuilder Tells All About His Steroid Use, Part Two.”  Bodybuilding.com. 15 Aug. 2006. 13 Feb. 2014.

This interview dove into the secret life of a bodybuilder who was currently using AA steroids; he went into detail about his usage, the dosage he takes, and the side effects of using both pro and cons. He also explains his view on whether steroids should be used in professional body building or whether they should be permanently banned. This article will give me a personal example of a real life user of the steroid drug and his trials in dealing with them. I can use this to show the reader how a bodybuilder views the use of steroids.  

5. “How to Spot a Steroid User” SteroidAbuse.Com Association Against Steroid Abuse, N.D. web. 13 Feb. 2014.

This website goes into detail about clues to spot out a steroid user. Explains that steroids cause back acne, oily skin, fatty nipples, enlarges prostate, etc. I will use this web to show my readers the outward physical effects of using steroids and how to spot a steroid abuser.

                                 

6. "Anabolic Steroids" CESAR.EDU Center of Substance Abuse Research. 29 Oct. 2013. 13 Feb. 2014.

Another useful website I found was CESAR (Center of Substance Abuse Research), This website gives a large amount of information on abused drugs such as alcohol, heroin, methamphetamine's, etc. This site will help me further my understanding of steroids.

7. Kuipers, Harm. Home Page. Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine and Science, April 19, 1998. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

I found this personal website from following links from Hark Kuipers article in Sports Medicine. This is a very helpful site that contains scholarly essays from a large number of individuals including Thomas D. Fahey. All of the articles are based of of substance abuse and function. I will use this site to examine scholarly articles and learn from the way they present their arguments.

8. Styles, Ruthe. 'Steroids turned me into a man!' Letter. Mail Online. Mail Online, 23 Oct. 2013. 13 Feb. 2014.

This News article was very interesting to read to say the least. It's a little inappropriate but it does give me a drastic situation of the absolute worst that could happen through females using and abusing steroids. I can use this article to show my readers the worst possible outcome females can expect through abusing steroids.

9.  Jukic, Bruno. "Woman and Steroids" Bodybuilding.com Forum. Bodybuilding.com, 3 Dec. 2010. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

This was a post in an online bodybuilding forum that I stumbled upon. Though at first the individual posting on the forum didn't seem credible I looked into his background, his name is Bruno Jukic and he's a pro-natural bodybuilder with a master in kinesiology. The information he presents on the form is very interesting, he speaks of the effects of steroids on female bodybuilders and the side effects along with the benefits of using the drug. This article gives me more understanding on the use of steroids on female athletes.

10. Garcia, Jose "Perioperative Stress Dose Steroids: Is It Really Necessary?" American Society of Anesthesiologist's. American Society of Anesthesiologist's, 1 Nov, 2013. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.

This web page explains the use of steroids to combat extreme stress while under surgery or intense pain.  Though this article does not speak of athletes using steroids it does show the use of steroids in the medical field. This article gives me a Doctors POV on the usage of steroids on patients and it furthers my understanding on how steroids are administered to patients. 

11. "How to recognize someone using anabolic steroids" PWN FITNESS. 2013. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.

Another site on how to recognize a steroid user (particularly bodybuilder), shows beginning signs of steroid use, along with long term physical side effects. I’ll use this site to show my readers the physical side effects of using steroids.

12. McDougal, John. "IOC using new steroid test on Turin Olympics doping samples" SI. SI Olympics, 19 Nov. 2013. Web. 14 Feb. 2014. This article explains how they're developing new methods on how to test for steroids in the Olympic Games. This shows me that steroids in athletes (especially Olympic athletes) is unacceptable and will be continually tested to ensure that steroids are not an active supplement for Olympic sports.

13. Phillips, Jack. "Olympic Shot Put Winner Tests Positive for Steroids" The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times, 16 Aug. 2012. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.

This article shows me the consequences of being caught using steroids illegally in the Olympics. I can use this source to relay the seriousness that the Olympic committee takes steroid abuse, stripping the shot putted of her gold medal due to steroid use.

14. Mango, Kirk. "2012 Olympics Part I: London Games Bring out “Legalize Steroids"-Again!" Bleacher Report. Bleacher Report, 14 Aug. 2012. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.

This online article is about the debate on whether steroids should be legalized or not. They explain health risks along with benefits of the drug. This article showed me that though the health risks are great, steroids are still under consideration.

15. The Roid Report. Anabolic Steroid News and Information Resource, 10 June 2011. Web. 14 Feb 2014. 

An online newsletter called "The Roid Report" was very interesting, I accidentally stumbled upon it, and it’s an underground newsletter on steroid usage for people currently using steroids. It's basically a 'how to' website on the usage of steroids, talks about where to purchase steroids, the proper dosages you're supposed to used, etc.

16.  Anabolic Bible. Anabolic Bible.Com, 2005. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.

Anabolic Bible is another website that I've been using for educational purposes. This site is a educational site on the usage, dosage, history, prescription, and effects of AA steroids. I will use this site for my personal education to further my knowledge on AA steroids. 

17. "Women and Steroids" Association Against Steroid Abuse. Steroid Abuse.com, 2010. Web. 14 Feb, 2014.

This website shows me the serious side effects of females using steroids. The entire web site is dedicated towards steroid abuse and informing readers of the serious side effects. This particular web page is to inform females of the side effects and to strongly encourage female to stay away from the drug. 

18. "Varying weight training intensity increases growth hormone in women" Eurek Alert. AAAS.com, 2005. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.

This article does not mention steroid but it does mention women and hormones, and the use of weight training to increase more hormone output. his shows me that the use of weight training alone can increase hormone flow in a female, with the use of steroids on top of that hormone levels can increase to a serious level. 

19. Silver, Mark. "Use of Ergogenic Aids by Athletes" Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. AAOS. 2001. Web. 14 Feb, 2014.

This article explains that young athletes frequently use ergogenic (meaning supplements) aids to improve their performance and increase their chances of winning in competition. This doesn't just include steroids, but mention them. This article explains the use of supplements in young athletes and the eventual use of steroids. I will use this scholarly article to show my reader that certain supplements can possible be used as a gateway drug.

20. Calfee, Ryan. Paul Fadale. "Popular Ergogenic Drugs and Supplements in Young Athletes" Pediatrics. Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Aug 11, 2005. Web. 14 Feb, 2014.

Similar to the previous cite this article explains the use of supplements in young athletes and the most commonly used drugs. Explains how eager young competitors are to get the edge on their sport, and the consequences of taking the easy way.

Research Proposal

Research Proposal:

Introduction:

            Steroids (specifically anabolic steroids) are generally used for their muscle gaining properties and increase in testosterone levels. Through sports steroids are used through their beneficial properties of increasing the athlete’s strength, speed, and endurance. Sports such as Baseball, Bodybuilding, and Track and Field have records of athletes using steroids illegally. This paper will be looking into whether our society should allow steroids in sports and if so, what will be the side effects of this: How do male athletes differ from female athletes when using steroids? Do steroids negatively affect the health of individuals under the age of 18? If steroids where legalized to an extent, who would be the most likely to receive the drugs? Steroids could possibly make out sports industry that much more exciting, but at what cost?

Review of Literature:

            Source reviewed so far include “Anabolic Steroids: Side Effects,” by Harm Kuipers from a 1998 issue of Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine and Science. Kuipers provides an explanation in detail about the side effects of steroids (specifically anabolic). Another article from the same year, “Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids: Mechanism of Action and Effects on Performance” a 1998 issue from the same encyclopedia, by Thomas D. Fahey, explains how steroids effect an athletes performance and physic, both positively and negatively. An interview between a pro bodybuilder (who remains unnamed) and David Robson of Bodybuilding.com was conducted on Aug. 16, 2006. This interview drove into the secret life of a bodybuilder who was currently using AA steroids; he went into detail about his usage, the dosage he takes, and the side effects of using steroids both pro and cons. A research report from the National Institute of Drug Abuse provided a very useful report on steroid abuse. Displays graphs on young males using steroids ages 8-12 and effects, tables on the most commonly abused steroids, and tables on the possible health consequences on adult males. Also goes into detail on steroid effects on the liver, skin, hormonal system, cardiovascular system, etc. I also found a website on how to spot steroid abuse from the Association Against Steroid Abuse, this website goes into detail about clues to spot out a steroid user. Explains that steroids cause back acne, oily skin, fatty nipples, enlarges prostate, etc. I will use this web to show my readers the outward physical effects of using steroids and how to spot a steroid abuser. Another useful website I found was CESAR (Center of Substance Abuse Research), This website gives a large amount of information on abused drugs such as alcohol, heroin, methamphetamine's, etc. I found an article about steroid abuse that didn't name it's author but gave a great deal of information on the history of steroids, general side effects, and street slang used to describe steroids. An online newsletter called "The Roid Report" was very interesting, I accidentally stumbled upon it, it's an underground newsletter on steroid  usage for people currently using steroids. It's basically a 'how to' website on the usage of steroids, talks about where to purchase steroids, the proper dosages you're supposed to used, etc. There's an article on stress dose steroids from the American Society of Anesthesiologists written by Jose Garcia, this article dives into stress dose steroids used or the treatment of depression and asks if these steroids are necessary or not. I enjoy this article because it gives me another view on steroids besides those used for physical purposes. I also ran into an article from Mail Online called 'Steroids Turned Me Into A Man' by Ruthe Styles. This article basically speaks for its self, its about a lady bodybuilder who took steroids to the extreme and began growing male parts all over. This article helps me because it shows me the extremes of steroid abuse. On a BodyBuilding.com  forum page a user asked a question on whether steroids where just as bad for woman as men or worse, this discussion brought up many well though out answer's from experiences bodybuilders along with credible nutritionist's.

Plan to Collect Information:

            In addition to the sources gathered so far, I will be looking for more articles through physical library books, encyclopedias like the Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine and Science, as well as peer reviewed scholarly articles through library databases. I will also be looking for charts and graphs of steroid effects on children under the age of 18, increase in performance of athletes, and increase risk of health damages through the use of steroids etc. These will most likely come from Google searches or library books if possible. I would also like the opportunity to interview a physical therapist at the Poulsbo Athletic Club because I know she has dealt with former armature body builders and recovery from muscle damage.

Project Timeline:

            This coming week I have a appointment set up with a physical therapist at Poulsbo Athletic Club, I will be speaking with her about her view on AA steroids an what she believes about their purpose in sports, whether they are necessary or not. I will also be checking out a few encyclopedias from our OC library and will be doing further research on steroids in athletes. Within two weeks (Feb. 27) I will have all of my bibliographic materials and will be finished assembling my Annotated Bibliography. By Feb 27-30 I will have compiled my review of literature. This will give me enough push to be drafting my final paper by March 6, which will give me exactly one week to compile, organize and polish up my existing materials. I will also insure that I have adequate support for my argument with no jumping around and no holes that I had not covered.

Working Bibliography:

Works Cited

Hartgens, Fred, and Harm Kuipers "Effects of Androgenic-Anabolic

Steroids in Athletes." Sports Medicine 34.8 (2004): 513-554.Web. 13 Feb, 2014.

Thomas D. Fahey “Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids: Mechanism of Action and Effects on Performance” Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine and Science 7 March, 1998. Web. 14 Feb, 2014

United States. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Research Report: Anabolic Steroid Abuse, Aug. 2006. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

 Robinson, David  “Steroid Undercover: A Pro Bodybuilder Tells All About His Steroid Use, Part Two.”  Bodybuilding.com. 15 Aug. 2006. 13 Feb. 2014.

 “How to Spot a Steroid User” SteroidAbuse.Com Association Against Steroid Abuse, N.D. web. 13 Feb. 2014

"Anabolic Steroids" CESAR.EDU Center of Substance Abuse Research. 29 Oct. 2013. 13 Feb. 2014

Styles, Ruthe. 'Steroids turned me into a man!' Letter. Mail Online. Mail Online, 23 Oct. 2013. 13 Feb. 2014

Jukic, Bruno. "Woman and Steroids" Bodybuilding.com Forum. Bodybuilding.com, 3 Dec. 2010. Web. 13 Feb. 2014

Garcia, Jose "Perioperative Stress Dose Steroids: Is It Really Necessary?" American Society of Anesthesiologist's. American Sociaty of Anesthesiologist's, 1 Nov, 2013. Web. 14 Feb. 2014