performance enhancement

[richmond_mat]

Since there are bits and pieces on performance enhancement drugs in various forums, I thought it would be fun to try to centralize them and offer a contrarian view.

Most of the talk about steroid use has concerned baseball. I suppose this is because of baseball's desire to keep a clean image and everyone's reverence for the records held there. But it makes more sense for footballers to be pumping up than it does for baseballers. Too much bulk could ruin your swing. The nfl claims to have tested 3000 player urine samples with none testing positive for THG. (were they all from the same person?)

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/29/sports/f...ball/29TAG.html

Anyway, I do not see what the big brewhaha is all about. These are PROFESSIONAL athletes CHOOSING to cut their life expectancy significantly so that they can compete better on the field. Steroids have no place in amature sports, but I have no problem with them being knowingly used by professional athletes.

Supplements need to be regulated carefully not forced underground. The only way to good regulation is through legalization. You cannot legislate morality, but you can legislate delivery and distribution.

Perfomance enhancement is now expected in bed, thanks to viagra.

The fact that everyone is happy to enhance their penis but enraged that a professional athlete took a performance enhancing drug troubles me.

End the hypocracy and allow any consenting educated adult competing as a professional athlete to take any supplement they like. But with their consent goes a medical/legal waiver that if their life ends abruptly then no one is to blame but themselves.

One last link on what should be avoided.

http://www.ftmaustralia.org/media/04/0207.html

[Kirkendall]

Thanks for the articles Rich.

Anyway, I do not see what the big brewhaha is all about. These are PROFESSIONAL athletes CHOOSING to cut their life expectancy significantly so that they can compete better on the field. Steroids have no place in amature sports, but I have no problem with them being knowingly used by professional athletes.

There is a reason why there is a huge penalty (as much as a lifetime ban) in world athletics such as the Olympics and not only is it cheating, but not everyone does it so therefore it lowers the playing field by default. If everyone did them, then fine, as you said, it's their choice, but not everyone does it and no one should be forced to because others are benefiting -- some do care about their health.

End the hypocracy and allow any consenting educated adult competing as a professional athlete to take any supplement they like. But with their consent goes a medical/legal waiver that if their life ends abruptly then no one is to blame but themselves.

On a personal, non competitive nature, I don't think 'roids is the problem overall. I also don't think pot is a problem, nor alcohol, nor cigarettes. I think its the abuse that deters the persecution of users. But in competitive sports, its the people that don't use them and choose not to use them that hurts more -- not referring to health here. As long as some use and others don't, there's too much of imbalance on the issue.

Also a quick note, I think the NFL commish just proved why he's a great commish. He's been around since 1989 and football has never been more popular. Plus he has helped establish the best Union / Ownership partnership in all sports combined.

[redsfan2]

On a personal, non competitive nature, I don't think 'roids is the problem overall. I also don't think pot is a problem, nor alcohol, nor cigarettes. I think its the abuse that deters the persecution of users. But in competitive sports, its the people that don't use them and choose not to use them that hurts more -- not referring to health here. As long as some use and others don't, there's too much of imbalance on the issue.