THE DANGERS OF DOPING: ANABOLIC STEROIDS

Some athletes use anabolic-androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) to improve their performance and to achieve better performances. AAS are also used to relieve the pressure and possible pain associated with intensive and physically demanding training programmes.

In general, athletes who use EAAs are those competing in disciplines that demand muscle power, strength, size and speed (weightlifting, athletics, swimming, ice hockey, etc.), claiming that they increase self-confidence, raise pain threshold and mental alertness, and reduce feelings of fatigue. But the consequences are negative and dangerous. Studies have concluded that AAS can cause depression, psychological and behavioural changes such as increased aggression and irritability, psychotic affective syndromes, sleep disorders, anorexia, psychomotor retardation, visual and auditory hallucinations, confusion, chronic anxiety and moderate agoraphobia in athletes.

Other physical effects include back pain, testicular atrophy, hair loss, visual disturbances, hypertension and heart murmurs. AAS can cause typical addictive behaviours in some users, and produce psychological dependence in others. They pose a danger not only to users, but also to the general population, as they increase the risk of violent antisocial behaviour.

Given the detrimental effects of AAS use on the human body, the nternational Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP) supports a ban on the use of AAS by athletes. Athletes who ingest banned substances cheat by gaining an unfair competitive advantage.

Beyond the ethical issues, the use of AAS is potentially dangerous, both psychologically and physically, and should not be part of sport and physical activity. A growing body of medical literature indicates that prolonged use of AAS can reduce the quality and length of life. Accordingly, the ISSP recommends that all possible preventive measures to eradicate the use of AAS in sport and physical activity worldwide.