Over the years, exercise science has evolved to introduce new dimensions into the way energy is utilized in the body. During sports activities such as athletics, cycling and swimming, endurance for long hours is necessary for the maintenance of high muscle activity. Ordinarily, body muscles are responsible for generating chemical energy which is utilized during physical activity. Therefore, energy reserves in the body tend to be depleted, especially after prolonged exposure to strenuous exercise such as running. This applies to sprinters as well as, long-distance runners. This phenomenon is also experienced by people who engage in strenuous physical exercise, rather than sports.
On the other hand, strenuous exercises including sporting activities involve a high level of dehydration. This leads to a significant loss of body fluids, as well as salts. These factors have prompted sporting people to look for remedies for energy depletion and dehydration, in order to maintain endurance in physical activities such as athletics. In theory, these remedies are referred to as ergogenic aids. An ergogenic aid can be defined as a mechanical, physical, psychological, nutritional, or a pharmacological substance that either limits physiological capacity by removing subjective restraints or directly enhances physiological variables in the body, especially those related to exercise performance.
According to the definition of ergogenic aids, it is apparent that steroids are considered some of the most principal ergogenic compounds which can be used in sports. This is so because steroids tend to increase muscle activity, especially during strenuous exercises. Ordinarily, steroids have been in clinical use as pharmacological substances for the treatment of an array of health conditions. They have also been used as nutritional supplements for enhancing hormone production, and alleviation of anxiety. This implies that steroids possess psychological functions in the body. As such, steroids are ergogenic aids, and this is why athletes are prohibited from taking steroids because they alter their actual performance by providing them with a competitive advantage. It is believed that steroids enhance exercise performance, more or less the same as other pharmacological ergogenic aids.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Effects of Steroid on Athletes Performance
- How Steroids Differ From the Human Growth Hormone
- Health Risks of Steroid
Objectives and Key Themes
This text aims to explore the use of ergogenic aids, specifically anabolic steroids, in athletic performance. It examines the effects of steroids on athletes, compares them to human growth hormone, and discusses the associated health risks.
- The definition and classification of ergogenic aids.
- The physiological effects of anabolic steroids on muscle growth and endurance.
- The comparison of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone.
- The health risks associated with steroid use.
- The ethical implications of using performance-enhancing drugs in sports.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of ergogenic aids, substances used to enhance physical performance. It explains the increasing need for such aids in strenuous activities, particularly in sports, due to energy depletion and dehydration. The chapter defines ergogenic aids and highlights steroids as a primary example, emphasizing their use and the ethical implications of their use in sports to gain a competitive advantage. The chapter establishes the context for the subsequent discussion of the effects and risks of steroids.
Effects of Steroid on Athletes Performance: This chapter delves into the effects of anabolic steroids on athletic performance. It acknowledges the existing debate on their efficacy, highlighting the discrepancies between real-world observations and controlled experiments. The chapter elaborates on the dual nature of male hormones (androgenic and anabolic effects), explaining how anabolic steroids are designed to enhance the anabolic properties while minimizing androgenic side effects. It discusses the biological mechanisms through which steroids increase muscle mass and prevent protein breakdown during exercise, highlighting the anti-catabolic effect on cortisol. Finally, the chapter touches upon the psychological effects, including the "steroid rush," contributing to increased training intensity and enhanced performance.
How Steroids Differ From the Human Growth Hormone: This chapter contrasts anabolic steroids with human growth hormone, both used as ergogenic aids. While both promote growth and are naturally produced in the body, significant differences exist. The key distinctions highlighted include the localized effects of steroids compared to the more widespread effects of human growth hormone and the more favorable health profile of human growth hormone compared to the adverse side effects of anabolic steroids. This chapter clarifies a common misconception regarding the two substances.
Health Risks of Steroid: This chapter focuses on the negative health consequences associated with steroid use. It details the various adverse effects, including menstrual cycle irregularities, reduced breast size, voice changes, and facial hair growth in females, as well as decreased sperm count, impotence, breast enlargement, and testicular inflammation in males. Furthermore, it discusses the dangers of steroid use in adolescents, such as psychological disorders and stunted growth, as well as general health risks like liver damage, heart problems, sleep disorders, hair loss, acne, and clotting disorders. The severity and range of health complications underscore the risks involved in steroid use.
Keywords
Ergogenic aids, anabolic steroids, athletic performance, human growth hormone, health risks, muscle growth, endurance, androgenic effects, anabolic effects, competitive advantage, performance enhancement.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Guide to Anabolic Steroids in Athletic Performance
What topics are covered in this text?
This text provides a comprehensive overview of anabolic steroids in athletic performance. It covers the definition and classification of ergogenic aids, focusing specifically on anabolic steroids. The text details the effects of steroids on athletic performance, compares them to human growth hormone, and thoroughly examines the associated health risks. Ethical implications of using performance-enhancing drugs are also discussed.
What are the objectives and key themes of this text?
The main objective is to explore the use of anabolic steroids as ergogenic aids in sports. Key themes include: the physiological effects of steroids on muscle growth and endurance; a comparison of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone; a detailed analysis of the health risks associated with steroid use; and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
What are the effects of steroids on athletic performance?
The text explores the effects of anabolic steroids on athletic performance, acknowledging the debate surrounding their efficacy. It explains the dual nature of male hormones (androgenic and anabolic effects) and how steroids are designed to enhance anabolic properties while minimizing androgenic side effects. The biological mechanisms through which steroids increase muscle mass and prevent protein breakdown are discussed, along with the psychological effects, such as increased training intensity.
How do steroids differ from human growth hormone?
The text compares and contrasts anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. While both promote growth and are naturally produced in the body, key differences are highlighted, including the localized effects of steroids versus the more widespread effects of human growth hormone, and the generally more favorable health profile of human growth hormone compared to the significant adverse side effects of anabolic steroids.
What are the health risks associated with steroid use?
The text details the various adverse health consequences of steroid use. These include menstrual cycle irregularities, reduced breast size, voice changes, and facial hair growth in females; decreased sperm count, impotence, breast enlargement, and testicular inflammation in males; and dangers for adolescents such as stunted growth and psychological disorders. General health risks like liver damage, heart problems, sleep disorders, hair loss, acne, and clotting disorders are also discussed.
What is the definition of ergogenic aids?
Ergogenic aids are substances or phenomena that enhance physical performance. The text uses anabolic steroids as a primary example, highlighting their use in sports to gain a competitive advantage and the ethical considerations this raises.
What are the ethical implications discussed in the text?
The text touches upon the ethical implications of using performance-enhancing drugs in sports, emphasizing the competitive advantage gained through their use and the broader societal implications.
What are the key takeaways from each chapter?
The text provides chapter summaries outlining the key concepts and findings of each section. These summaries cover the introduction to ergogenic aids, the detailed effects of steroids on performance, a comparison with human growth hormone, and a comprehensive overview of the associated health risks.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Key terms include: ergogenic aids, anabolic steroids, athletic performance, human growth hormone, health risks, muscle growth, endurance, androgenic effects, anabolic effects, competitive advantage, and performance enhancement.
- Quote paper
- Patrick Kimuyu (Author), 2016, Ergogenic Aids. Effects and Health Risks, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/381309
