Ethical Considerations in Ethical Considerations in training and competitiontraining and competition

IHSA Sport Medicine Special TopicsIHSA Sport Medicine Special TopicsFall 2006Fall 2006

The ProblemThe Problem

At all levels of sport, more and more At all levels of sport, more and more athletes are turning to ‘alternatives’ athletes are turning to ‘alternatives’ to aid performanceto aid performance

Too often, these ‘alternatives’ are Too often, these ‘alternatives’ are some kind of performance-enhancing some kind of performance-enhancing drug (PED’s) or harmful supplementsdrug (PED’s) or harmful supplements

The ProblemThe Problem

According to a According to a 2003 survey on 2003 survey on anabolic steroid anabolic steroid use by the U.S. use by the U.S. Dept. of Health:Dept. of Health:

(nat’l averages)(nat’l averages)

CategoryCategory 8th8th 10th10th 12th12th

Ever UsedEver Used 2.5%2.5% 3.0%3.0% 3.5%3.5%

Used Past Used Past YearYear

1.4%1.4% 1.7%1.7% 2.1%2.1%

Used Past Used Past MonthMonth

0.7%0.7% 0.8%0.8% 1.3%1.3%

The ProblemThe Problem

Using those numbers, how does that Using those numbers, how does that potentially translate to Illinois potentially translate to Illinois students?students?

2005-06:2005-06: 321,273 7-8 graders321,273 7-8 graders

2005-06:2005-06: 750,000 (approx.) 9-12 750,000 (approx.) 9-12 gradersgraders

The ProblemThe ProblemCategoryCategory 8th8th 10th10th 12th12th

Ever UsedEver Used

Illinois estimateIllinois estimate

2.5%2.5%

8,0328,032

3.0%3.0%

22,50022,500

3.5%3.5%

26,25026,250

Used Past YearUsed Past Year

Illinois estimateIllinois estimate

1.4%1.4%

4,4984,498

1.7%1.7%

12,75012,750

2.1%2.1%

15,75015,750

Used Past MonthUsed Past Month

Illinois estimateIllinois estimate

0.7%0.7%

2,2492,249

0.8%0.8%

6,0006,000

1.3%1.3%

9,7509,750

The ProblemThe Problem

The previous numbers examine the The previous numbers examine the issue from a total student population issue from a total student population perspective.perspective.

How do they look when applied to How do they look when applied to just students who participate in just students who participate in interscholastic programs?interscholastic programs?

The ProblemThe ProblemIn 2004-05 at IHSA member schools:In 2004-05 at IHSA member schools:

Male ParticipantsMale Participants 188,855188,855

Female ParticipantsFemale Participants 121,025121,025

TotalTotal 309,880309,880

Based on the national average of 3.1% of high Based on the national average of 3.1% of high school students using anabolic steroids:school students using anabolic steroids:

The ProblemThe ProblemEstimated number of Illinois Estimated number of Illinois

student-athletes using steroids:student-athletes using steroids: 9,6069,606

This translates to This translates to 12.712.7 student-athletes/IHSA member school student-athletes/IHSA member school using steroids.using steroids.

Recent TrendsRecent Trends

The problem of steroid use isn’t isolated.The problem of steroid use isn’t isolated.

It’s occurring at all levels, from preps to It’s occurring at all levels, from preps to pros.pros.

Unfortunately, the stories of former users Unfortunately, the stories of former users are deterring steroid use by athletes.are deterring steroid use by athletes.

Recent TrendsRecent TrendsEducation efforts by governing bodies will Education efforts by governing bodies will hopefully begin to turn the tide.hopefully begin to turn the tide.

In addition to those efforts, schools, In addition to those efforts, schools, conferences, and other governing bodies conferences, and other governing bodies are looking to testing programs as another are looking to testing programs as another means to stop steroid use.means to stop steroid use.

Recent TrendsRecent TrendsAt the high school level, New Jersey will At the high school level, New Jersey will begin steroid testing for student-athletes begin steroid testing for student-athletes this year at their state finals.this year at their state finals.

The IHSA is exploring a testing program of The IHSA is exploring a testing program of its own although no final timeline for its its own although no final timeline for its implementation has been set.implementation has been set.

Recent TrendsRecent Trends

While it remains to be seen how effective While it remains to be seen how effective these approaches will be, it does raise these approaches will be, it does raise some questions athletes, coaches, and some questions athletes, coaches, and parents need to consider.parents need to consider.

The next series of slides raise just a few.The next series of slides raise just a few.

Items for ReflectionItems for Reflection

What is the role of high school activities in a What is the role of high school activities in a student’s over-all development?student’s over-all development?

– The IHSA believes interscholastic programs The IHSA believes interscholastic programs should should “enrich the educational experience”“enrich the educational experience” for for students.students.

– High school interscholastic programs make High school interscholastic programs make students better citizens…whether or not a students better citizens…whether or not a particular team wins the state tournament or particular team wins the state tournament or not. It’s this improved citizenry we view as the not. It’s this improved citizenry we view as the important link.important link.

– Maintaining that perspective is sometimes Maintaining that perspective is sometimes misplaced.misplaced.

Items for ReflectionItems for Reflection

What is your personal mission? What role What is your personal mission? What role do high school sports play in your life?do high school sports play in your life?

What are the tangible goals, if any, that What are the tangible goals, if any, that you hope to accomplish through your you hope to accomplish through your athletic career?athletic career?

What are the intangible ones?What are the intangible ones?

Which ones will benefit you the most later Which ones will benefit you the most later in life?in life?

Items for Reflection - Items for Reflection - educatorseducators

What role should teachers and coaches What role should teachers and coaches play in the development of student-play in the development of student-athletes?athletes?

– Are these attributes ones coaches Are these attributes ones coaches should have or emulate:should have or emulate:

DisciplinarianDisciplinarian SupporterSupporter

TyrantTyrant EncouragerEncourager

FriendFriend EnemyEnemy

Items for Reflection - Items for Reflection - parentsparents

What role should parents play in their What role should parents play in their student’s development?student’s development?

– Are these attributes parents should Are these attributes parents should possess:possess:

TyrantTyrant SupporterSupporter

EnablerEnabler EncouragerEncourager

FriendFriend RealistRealist

Items for Reflection - Items for Reflection - athletesathletes

What role should students themselves play What role should students themselves play in their own development?in their own development?

Is the use of steroids or other illegal Is the use of steroids or other illegal substances an acceptable training method substances an acceptable training method to realize personal and team goals?to realize personal and team goals?

Items for Reflection - athletesItems for Reflection - athletes

Is it cheating if you don’t get caught?Is it cheating if you don’t get caught?

Is victory still as special if it is earned Is victory still as special if it is earned through illegal means?through illegal means?

At what point does the risk finally At what point does the risk finally outweigh the potential reward?outweigh the potential reward?

Items for Reflection - Items for Reflection - teammatesteammates

What separates a good teammate from a What separates a good teammate from a bad one?bad one?

What responsibilities do teammates have What responsibilities do teammates have to one another?to one another?

How would a player explain his/her actions How would a player explain his/her actions to his/her teammates if their actions led to to his/her teammates if their actions led to a team penalty/sanction?a team penalty/sanction?

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

It is through participation in interscholastic It is through participation in interscholastic programs that students become better programs that students become better citizens.citizens.

Maintaining perspective on an individual, Maintaining perspective on an individual, school, and community level is crucial in that school, and community level is crucial in that development.development.

Using illegal means – like taking steroids – Using illegal means – like taking steroids – destroys the credibility of the interscholastic destroys the credibility of the interscholastic process and your personal development.process and your personal development.