STEROID USE BY STUDENT ATHLETES PRESENTS SERIOUS HEALTH CONCERNS

The use and rumored use of performance-enhancing steroids by professional athletes remains an all too common occurrence in sports today. Plus, with this being an Olympic year, drug testing for performance-aiding substances will likely receive frequent mention. But what about younger athletes? Has the search for better athletic performance found its way into our youth programs? To what extent has the search for heightened ability on the playing field reached the high school level?

According to a 2007 survey of 48,025 students who attend 403 public and private schools in the United States, the use of steroids was deemed to be remarkably high. In this study, 2.2 percent of high school seniors reported that they had used a steroid drug at least once in their lifetime.

Anabolic and androgenic steroids are synthetic hormones that increase a person’s metabolism and are aimed at producing greater muscle growth and strength. Basically, they are simulated sex hormones that cause the body to develop at a faster rate and produce greater physical strength.

While the use of these enhancing substances is banned by professional sports governing bodies and considered illegal in many countries, this does not seem to stop athletes from seeking them out at every level of sport.

“Steroid use among America’s youth who are emulating professional athletes is a serious problem that can lead to serious and often disastrous health outcomes including baldness, acne, nausea, liver damage, even heart disease and stroke,” says Gerald W. Clum, D.C., who is president of Life Chiropractic College West in Hayward, Calif.

Dr. Clum warns student athletes away from taking steroids as youngsters will usually be disappointed that steroid use will not produce the promised results. At the same time, they can have some potentially deadly ramifications. He warns parents to be aware of changes in a child that could signal steroid use.

“It is imperative for parents to be on the alert for signs of steroid use, especially among teenage athletes,” said Dr. Clum. “When teens become overly concerned about physical performance, undergo significant changes in their physical appearance, exhibit serious mood swings or rage-like behavior, these could be signals of steroid use.”

A consultation with a natural healthcare provider about healthy diets and exercise can lead to enhanced performance in a very natural way. Parents who are concerned that a child might be taking measures to enhance their performance would be wise to check with their chiropractor or acupuncturist about the warning signs. Together, they could work toward a solution and offer an educational program that would lead to the performance level the youth seeks, but in a very healthy and safe manner.

Source: The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. “Steroid Use Among American Youth Alarms Health Professionals.” March 2007.

http://www.f4cp.com/press_releases/SteroidUseAmongAmericanYouthAlarmsHealthProfessionals.htm

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