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.