STEROIDS in STEROIDS in SPORTSPORT

Prepared by:

Michaella M. Combine andAira Dominica Lavina

What are steroids?What are steroids?There are a variety of steroids in

the world, but the most commonly related to sports would be anabolic steroids.

Anabolic steroids are “steroids that promote tissue growth by creating protein in an attempt to enhance muscle growth.”

The widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport is indicative of an over-emphasis on winning.

Performance-enhancing drugs are used by athletes◦To gain a competitive advantage◦For injury recovery◦For enhanced appearance

The commonly used steroidsThe commonly used steroids

There are three different types of steroids used today. Anabolic steroid▪ Most commonly abused▪ Function: To increase muscle mass and strength

Cortico steroid▪ Function: Artificial cortisone, medically injected to

reduces inflammation and injury. Androgenic steroid▪ Has an anabolic effects on bones, skeletal muscle

and vocal chords.▪ Function: Used to treat muscle and bone

degeneration. http://www.clearleadinc.com/site/steroids.html

STEROID STRUCTURAL STEROID STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS:CHARACTERISTICS:

The basic skeleton of a steroid, with standard stereo orientation. R is a 

side-chain at C-17.

StructureStructure

Steroids are a class of organic compounds with a chemical structure that contains the core of gonane or a skeleton derived there from. Usually, methyl groups are present at the carbons C-10 and C-13 – an alkyl side-chain at carbon C-17 may also be present.

Gonane is the simplest possible steroid and is composed of  is the simplest possible steroid and is composed of seventeen seventeen carbon atoms, bonded together to form four fused  atoms, bonded together to form four fused rings. The three rings. The three cyclohexane rings (designated as rings A, B,  rings (designated as rings A, B, and C in the figure below) form the skeleton of and C in the figure below) form the skeleton of phenanthrene; ; ring D has a ring D has a cyclopentane structure. Hence, together they are  structure. Hence, together they are called called cyclopentaphenanthrene..

Numbering of rings and of carbon atoms in gonane, the simplest possible steroid.

The structure of cholestane, one of the comparatively simpler steroids.

Medrogestone, Medrogestone, a synthetic drug with similar effects as progesterone.

The anabolic steroid testosterone, the principal male sex hormone.

Progesterone, a steroid hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy and embryogenesis.

SteroidsSteroidsAndrostenedione (Andro)

◦Is a natural hormone produced by the body that increases testosterone levels

◦Too much impairs or shuts off the body's production of testosterone

◦Stunts growth in adolescents

SteroidsSteroidsTetrahydrogestrinone (THG)

◦A purely synthetic designer steroid derived from another banned steroid (gestrinone) that escapes detection in normal drug tests

◦Classified as a controlled substance, like morphine and amphetamines, and is banned by the Food and Drug Administration

THE “PERKS” THE “PERKS”

http://www.sgfitnessonline.com/IMAGE/lean-muscle-body.jpg

They will affect you in some way, some minor effects with short term use, but more serious side effects with high dose long term use.

Athletes who use anabolic steroids may inject 300 to 1,000 milligrams more

Health Hazards from Use of Health Hazards from Use of SteroidsSteroids

Specific to males — impotence; development of breasts; reduced sperm count; shrinkage of testicles; difficulty/pain in urination; baldness

Specific to females — growth of facial hair; reduction in breasts, changes in menstrual cycle; deepened voice

Specific to adolescents — premature halting of skeletal maturation and growth; accelerated puberty changes

Other Dangers of SteroidsOther Dangers of Steroids Barry Bonds first used steroids to

return quicker from his injuries; thus caused his elbow injury because they had made his arm muscles so large that the elbow tendon could not support them

mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, insomnia, reduced sex drive, and the desire to take more steroids

*Mitchell Report*

Barry Bonds* Marion Jones Jose Canseco Mark McGuire Rafael Palmeiro Roger Clemmons*

Effects of SteroidsEffects of Steroids Barry Bonds before steroids Barry Bonds

after steroids

Severe AcneSevere Acne

Beginning of chest breakout• Severe Acne is a common side effect.• Caused from the imbalance of testosterone levels.

After treatment to chest acne•The severity of the break out left permanent scaring.•In pursuit to achieve a great body this 21 year old male permanently disfigured his body.

GynecomastiaGynecomastia

•Gynecomastia is a common occurring side effect of steroids.• Development of breast tissue on males.•Caused from an imbalance of testosterone to estrogen.•The effects CANNOT be reversed.

•Surgery is needed to remove excess breast tissue.

http://www.steroidabuse.com/images/cms/Image/image001(1).jpg

http://www.timemastermd.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/gyno.jpg

DepressionDepression •Depression is a very serious side effect of steroids.

•Steroid withdrawal •Unbalanced testosterone levels are said to cause the depression.

•Suicidal thoughts are not uncommon.

•It is hard to tell what percent of suicides are linked to steroids because most users don’t want anyone to know they were using, it goes uncharted.

http://cristinalaird.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/depression.jpg

Athletic effectsAthletic effects Steroids do not only harm your health

but your image. Barry Bonds▪ Not remembered for home run record but for

steroid abuse. Public image is effected.

No longer a role model Looked as a fake and not a great.

Abusing at a young age can ruin a life if caught. Can lose scholarships. End a sports career. Not looked as talent anymore but just

another athlete

http://rayshealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/barry-bonds.jpg

How are Steroids taken?How are Steroids taken?

Most steroid programs involve 300 to more than 1,000 milligrams per week in pills, creams, or injectable forms. Anabolic steroids can be taken orally, injected intramuscularly, or rubbed on the skin in the form of gels or creams as just mentioned. These drugs are often used in patterns which are listed below

Taking SteroidsTaking Steroids Cycling — involves taking multiple doses

of steroids over cycles of weeks or months, stopping for a period of time, and starting again

Stacking — combining several different types of steroids to maximize their effectiveness

Pyramiding- involves beginning a cycle with a lower dose of steroids, gradually increasing the dose over time to a peak level, then gradually decreasing the dose down to zero again.

SourcesSourcesManufacturers — the sale of performance-

enhancing drugs is a huge market, so the incentives are high to promote them as safe (“natural” does not mean safe) and effective

Distributors — dietary substances are not regulated like drugs by the Food and Drug Administration, so anyone is free to market supplements without proof of safety or efficacy (do they do what is claimed)

Some drugs, such as steroids, require a prescription, but they can easily be obtained via the Internet

Often are obtained from parents, trainers, physicians, coaches, teammates, and peers

That’s All Folks!That’s All Folks!