The Implications of Performance Enhancing Drug Use

A study conducted by the Department of Health and Exercise Science at the College of New Jersey led by Dr. Jay Hoffman in 2007, showed that 1.6% (2.4% males and 0.8% females) of the athletes they surveyed reported the use of anabolic steroids, while 72.1% admitted the use of at least one supplement (protein powder, multivitamins, and high-energy drinks). The most striking finding of this study may be that approximately 6% of male 12th graders reported anabolic steroid use while only 1% of the 9th graders reported such use. In other words, “reliance on nutritional supplements increases as adolescents mature.” This calls for the involvement of teachers, coaches, parents and physicians in the education of adolescent athletes about the implications of steroid use.

Studies have clearly shown the negative effects on a person’s physical and psychological health. Use of anabolic steroids by adolescents can cause premature puberty leading to short stature, acne, testicular atrophy, breast enlargement in males, excess facial hair and the increased risk of heart attack and liver damage. Also, the psychological effects include chronic aggression or depression and the increased risk of suicide.

However, arguments that emphasize the physical riskiness of the use of banned substances often fall on deaf ears because high performing athletes willingly take risks to excel at their sport. A far more compelling argument for refusing to take banned substances is a moral argument that taking such substances gives one an unfair advantage over others. In the Hoffman study, the majority of the steroid users (60%) felt that taking steroids was not cheating. If athletes do not see steroid use as cheating, then they will be more inclined to risk hurting themselves to win.

Coaches should address this issue in the context of a team meeting as well as in one-on-one conversations. When doing so, be sure to touch upon the moral implications as well as the personal health risks. If you address only the physical and psychological effects of steroid use, then athletes may only be motivated by fear of personal harm. Although this may be a good reason, true Champions are motivated to serve others rather than themselves. Remind the athletes of the values of fair play and competition (i.e. “competing with”). These are the fundamentals to becoming a true Champion.