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