Steroid Abuse in Sports

The use of performance enhancing drugs dates as far back to the original Olympic Games, and attempts to increase testosterone were documented as early as 776 BC.  These ancient athletes ingested sheep’s testicles, which they knew to be a source of testosterone. Although it might seem extreme to us now, this was a small price to pay for the prizes of the time.  These athletes did not compete for medals, or for the love of the game. They didn’t practice long hours for national pride, or to feel the championship wreath atop their heads.  Much like those of today, they competed for the two things that matter most…money and prestige (the chance to make more money). Present day athletes still turn to performance enhancing drugs (often called “PEDs”) and anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS).

The first incidence of confirmed Steroid abuse in sports was at the World Weightlifting Championships of 1954 where the Soviets easily dominated most of their weight classes.  Dr. John Ziegler, the United States team physician, questioned the Soviet team’s doctor about AAS.  The Soviet doctor openly admitted that his athletes were given testosterone injections while training for the championships.   This confession, along with rumors of discarded syringes in the Soviet dressing rooms, marked the first public admission to using AAS for performance enhancement in athletic events.  The Soviet team was not penalized for these actions, because there were no regulations in place to address this new problem.

Seeking an alternative to the Soviet injectable version, Dr. Ziegler committed himself to developing a superior oral testosterone derivative.  His diligence resulted in the development of Dianabol, the most widely abused anabolic steroid of all time.

In the late 1960´s the East Germans began a statewide doping program in an attempt to win more gold medals.  In 1968 East Germany’s chief medical officer submitted a report to the government recommending the total and collective administration of steroids to all East German athletes.   For the next 20 years they dominated virtually every major worldwide sporting event.  Soon after this the World Health Organization filed an official complaint against AAS which lead to the International Olympic Council’s complete ban of such drugs during international competition.

Meanwhile, anabolic steroids had caught on in the United States where professional sports were gaining recognition, and athletic compensation began to soar.  Those using AAS became more successful, and generated far greater income than their non-using counterparts.  Athletes all over the world wanted to know where to get these drugs, and how to use them.  Steroids soon became a staple of virtually every gym in the country, and they were here to stay.

 The many pro athlete stories and huge lists of medical side effects clearly illustrate why the ban on steroids was put into effect back in the late 1960’s.  Unfortunately this action did not deter athletes then, and appears to have little impact today. In 1972, the first athlete caught officially breaking the ban on performance enhancing substances was an American swimmer named Rick De Mont who was using a substance called “Ephedrine”.  Steroid use in the Olympics continued in secret, with athletes enlisting various professionals to help circumvent drug testing.  By the 1990´s, knowledge of AAS had become part of the public psyche, and their abuse had penetrated nearly every possible professional and amateur sport.   In 1987 the National Football League introduced its first anti-steroid policy.

While in the late 1990’s a bottle of Androstendione, a prohormone that converts within the body to testosterone, was spotted by a reporter in the locker of then homerun record chasing Mark McGwire.  Though McGwire soon retired the story of steroids in the Major League Baseball (MLB) was exposed.  Further news of AAS exploded onto the scene when Ken Caminiti admitted using them in Sports Illustrated.  Caminiti went on to estimate player usage in the MLB at fifty percent. In a book published during this same time homerun giant Jose Canseco also admitted to abusing AAS, and raised Caminiti’s estimate to 85% of MLB players.  The league’s secret was out, and the scandals were about to begin.  Jason Giambi and Barry Bonds were both implicated and investigated, later testifying before major courts regarding their AAS histories.

The most common reason for steroid abuse in sports is desire to excel.

These drugs are a particular enticement when faced with the pressures felt at the high school and amateur levels.

They are often seen as a necessary step towards college scholarships and progression towards the professional ranks. Steroid abuse has been speculated to be even worse at these levels than in professional sports.

Strength & Bulk Training for Weightlifters & Bodybuilders

In 1960, three-time Mr Universe winner Reg Park, who Arnold Schwarzenegger said inspired him to become a bodybuilder, wrote a manual titled "Strength and Bulk Training for Weightlifters and Bodybuilders." The training principles espoused by Park have been improved upon by advances in sports and performance science, and the weightlifter or bodybuilder can increase strength and bulk using scientifically proven training methods with both free weights and resistance machines.

Basic Strength and Muscle Gaining Principles

To increase strength and gain muscle bulk, focus primarily on compound exercises that target your main muscle groups of the chest, back, shoulders, legs and gluteals. Compound exercises involve the use of more than one joint, and simultaneously engage several muscles. For example, the bench press involves movement of your elbow and shoulder joints, engaging the chest, front deltoids and triceps. ExRx.net says strength is correlated to muscle size and you should strive to continually increase your strength to gain muscle bulk. Increase your strength by using heavier weights or doing more repetitions each training session.

Repetitions

Reg Park believed training three times a week, using heavy weights for five reps, and five sets per compound exercise, would maximize strength and muscle gains. According to Muscle & Strength, though heavy weights and low reps increase both size and strength, moderately heavy weights for six to 12 reps increase both muscle pump and protein synthesis. This rep range helps bodybuilders look more muscular and vascular than strength and power athletes.


Full Body Workout

A full body workout places a demand on all your major muscle groups, inducing your body to react to the workload by getting bigger and stronger. Do the barbell bench press for your chest, bent-over-rows or pull-ups for your upper back, dead-lifts, barbell military press for your shoulders, barbell squats for your legs and gluteals, barbell curls for your biceps, close grip bench press for your triceps and calf raises for your calves. Do one warm-up set with a light weight for 12 to 15 repetitions, followed by three sets with a heavy weight for five to 10 reps. Rest a maximum of 90 seconds between sets. Bodybuilder Chad Waterbury who holds an M.S. in physiology, says frequent training sessions in which you hit each muscle three times a week, maximizes strength and muscle gains.

Split Routine

A split routine, in which you hit specific muscles each training session, enables you to do more exercises per muscle group without diluting the intensity of your workout by spending too long in the gym. Hit your chest, shoulders and triceps on your first training day. Do the barbell bench press and flat bench flyes for the chest, dumbbell shoulder press and lateral raises for shoulders and close grip-bench press for your triceps. The next day, hit your legs with barbell squats, leg curls, leg extensions and calf raises, your back with dead-lifts and pullups, and your biceps with barbell or dumbbell curls. Do one warm-up set with a light weight for 12 to 15 reps, followed by three sets with a heavy weight for five to 10 reps. The last two reps of the heavy sets should require considerable effort. Rest a maximum of 90 seconds between sets. Rest on the third day and repeat the routine on the next two days.

Varying Your Routine

Shock your muscles to grow by varying your routine. Do one week of training with light weights and high reps every four weeks. According to Muscle & Strength, high reps of 15 or more deplete your muscles of glycogen. This induces your muscles to increase glycogen stores and protein synthesis, causes muscle cells to stretch, and leads to overall muscle growth.

Rest and Nutrition

Minimize your activities on rest days away from the gym to let your body and muscles recover from your intense workouts. Get at least eight hours of sleep each night. Eat approximately every three or four hours to ensure your muscles have a regular supply of nutrients Eat complex carbohydrates such as oatmeal, whole grain bread, whole grain rice, yams and sweet potatoes. Proteins should include lean cuts of red meat, chicken, turkey, legumes, fish, eggs and dairy products. Fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and minerals to help your body function optimally. 

What IGF-1 Does in the Body

IGF-1 or Insulin like Growth Factor 1, is a protein encoded by the IGF-1 gene and it is similar to the molecular structure of insulin. It contains seventy amino acid polypeptides that are produced by the liver and endocrine hormone. IGF-1 has many effects on the body. When in balance… It does a body good! But when out of balance it can cause many repercussions to the body.

IGF-1 supports cellular division and growth to the muscles and organs. IGF-1 automatically begins being produced at birth. This is one of the major factors in height and muscle growth throughout childhood and puberty. Some people, however, are born without the correct amount of IGF-1 production and that can lead to dwarfism, or in some cases have synthetic IGF-1 therapy.

IGF-1 helps in repairing nerve damage, which can aid in many different areas of the brain, cardiovascular, circulatory systems and my favorite anti-aging. It helps to reduce body fat because it halts insulin from moving glucose through the body, resulting in the body using fat as a source of energy instead of glucose.

IGF-1 also plays a role in cell repair to the brain, heart and of course muscles. New developments have shown that IGF-1 helps in the development of new muscles by igniting human stem cells. It also plays a role in muscle regeneration, due to cell repair. It also, increases the number and size of cells in the body. It helps to reduce the amount of muscle loss, and in turn aids in muscle growth, as mentioned before. It is due to all of these reasons synthetic IGF-1 is of the hottest muscle building products and anabolic steroids on the market today.

One must be careful not to have too much supplemental IGF-1 in the body or side effects can occur. When too much synthetic IGF-1 is present one can experience jaw pain, facial, hand, and heart swelling. Heart swelling can lead to higher blood pressure and heart failure. Synthetic IGF-1 stays in the body longer than natural IGF-1 and because IGF-1 produces growth cells it can lead to muscle and organ overgrowth. References to bodybuilders and power lifters with abnormally large stomachs have been linked to overuse of IGF-1 because their internal organs have grown too large. Lastly, if free roaming IGF-1’s stay in the body too long there has been evidence to show that it can produce different cancers.

So, in a nutshell, IGF-1 is a great hormone that your body produces naturally. It is an amazing compound that helps with cellular growth and repair throughout the body. It helps our bodies grow to their natural state as well as aids in the building and repairing of muscles. But one must be careful when using synthetic IGF-1 for bodybuilding purposes, not to over do it. In my opinion the side effects of overuse do not outweigh the results. Again, the saying “You can’t have your cake and eat it too!” comes to mind.

CHEST NASSER’S WORKOUT

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR competitors in the IFBB, Nasser El Sonbaty has heaved plenty of weight in his 15 years as a pro. Like most of his peers, he changes his workouts often, but this particular routine is a great example of how he combines presses and flyes for a more intense, and thus more productive, session.
“A technique that works well for me is rest/pause,” Nasser explains. “I may do a set of 6–10 reps on an incline dumbbell press, pause for 10 seconds, do another 4–5 reps, rest again and finish with 1–3 reps.”
Nasser recommends choosing a heavy weight, but not so heavy that you can’t get at least 6 reps in the set.

FLAT-BENCH DUMBBELL FLYE
START: With a dumbbell in each hand and a slight but unchanging bend in your elbows, lie on a flat bench and allow the weights to travel out and away from your body in a wide arc.
MOVE: Feel the stretch, then contract your pecs to forcefully raise the weights overhead while keeping the angle in your elbows nearly constant.


DECLINE DUMBBELL FLYE
START: When he does the decline press with dumbbells, Nasser will go right into the decline flye as the second half of a compound set. With a weight heavy enough for presses, he doesn’t get a really deep stretch at the bottom but still strives for a decent range of motion. Lie back on a decline bench and hold a pair of dumbbells overhead, keeping your hands in a neutral (palms-facing) position.
MOVE: Maintaining a slight bend in your elbows throughout, power the weights up in a wide arc, keeping constant tension on your chest by not locking out at the top nor allowing the weights to rest against each other. When lowering the weights, fight gravity to gain the benefit of the negative.



DECLINE DUMBBELL PRESS
START: Lie back on a decline bench and hold the weights directly over your pecs.
MOVE: Resist the negative as you lower the dumbbells until they just touch your lower-chest region. In a forceful movement, power the weights up but don’t lock out. “I think ‘squeeze the pecs’ at the top,” Nasser adds.

Why Bodybuilders Use HGH And Peptides

GHRP-2, is a synthetic, hexapeptide that has some very potent properties. It is in the class of growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRPs), which act on the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, to release growth hormone, by appearing through the endogenous ghrelin receptor. It is considered one of the few healthcare means that can be able to reverse the aging effects in adults who are deficient of the growth hormone.

GHRP-2 is known to encourage appetite and hunger. It does this by stimulating the release of Ghrelin, which is also a peptide observed in the stomach, that advertises urge for food and gastric emptying. GHPR-2 is also used for a range of other medical issues, which include, correcting low growth hormone production, and also promoting excess weight gain in the abnormally thin individuals.

GHRP user may report strength raise and improved muscle mass. This is along a much better overall sense of well being and decreased body fat. Neurons are also affected in the same method as they would be by steroids, causing a significant strength raise. For someone who has previously used artificial development hormone, slowing the body's natural production of the same, this peptide can be used to activate the natural production of this growth hormone.

This peptide is also a very suitable compound to use if one is nursing and rehabilitating injuries. It has been shown, clinically, to have a very good effect on connective tissues and tendons regeneration and strengthening. Depending on one's goals, a person may use between 100 - 600mcg per day. For instance, a person looking for some slight raise in sleep quality, or joint and tendon improvement, may stick towards the lower end of this dosage amount. Alternatively, a person seeking to use this peptide for its mass and muscle building effects may ramp up the dosage considerably.

Other benefits of using GHRP-2 include improved sex dr and desire, stomach fat decrease, enhanced energy and vitality, improved skin elasticity and lines elimination. There is also boostd endurance, heart strengthening, enhanced immune system, improved eye sight and vision, increased protein synthesis, enhanced bone density as a consequence of boostd lime scale retention (which also increases bone strength and mineralization), reduced glucose uptake in the liver organ, better liver glucogenesis, and contribution in the direction of pancreatic islets maintenance and function, among others. You can get peptide GHRP-2 online at http://www.genezameds.com/hgh-peptides-c75/ghrp-2-5mg-p430 GenezaMeds.com - we provide the bodybuiding and performance enhancing community top of the line service with products and reliability that you can trust.

Peptide Hormones: Insulin

Insulin is produced in the beta cells of the pancreas from a larger peptide called preproinsulin. Endogenous insulin has a half-life of three to five minutes and the pancreas secretes about 40 to 50 units of insulin per day in normal adults. Insulin secretion is stimulated in response to feeding with glucose being the strongest stimulator. Insulin binds to a cell surface receptor resulting in increased glucose and amino acid transport through the cell membrane and glycogen and lipid synthesis and storage. This is accomplished through the increased movement of Glut4 molecules to the surface of the cell membrane. Glut4 is the main transporter of glucose across cell membranes into cells. Insulin also binds to the type 1 IGF receptor which results in growth stimulating effects in muscle cells.

Insulin is the main “storage” hormone and is very anabolic as well as anti-catabolic. In addition to increasing glycogen and lipid synthesis and storage, insulin also promotes protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and promotes glycogen storage by increasing glucose transport in skeletal muscle cells.

Insulin and insulin syringes are available in many states without a prescription making insulin a more available anabolic hormone than AAS. That being said, the dangers of insulin are immediate and potentially deadly. Insulin can produce in a state of severe hypoglycemia that can result in coma or death with a matter of minutes. In addition, insulin resistance will occur over time in healthy individuals using insulin. While this risk is down-played by users and on boards discussing insulin, it should be considered a very real risk. Though insulin is highly anabolic in skeletal muscle, it is also very anabolic in adipose tissue. This can result in increases in body fat, especially when used in high doses on its own. Often insulin is combined with growth hormone to take advantage of growth hormone’s fat burning ability and to combat the decrease in insulin sensitivity with GH. IGF-1 is sometimes combined with insulin (and GH) but this increases the risk of hypoglycemia.

Anabolic Steroid Basics for Beginners

Esters:
You must understand esters. Esters are attached to AAS compounds. The ester acts as a kind of time releasing vehicle. Esters are broken down in the blood stream and thus the AAS compound is freed. Long-acting esters slowly break down, and fast-acting esters break down more rapidly. Half-life describes this occurrence.
Common Ester names in no particular order:
 Enanthate
 Cypionate
 Decanoate
 Phenylpropionate
 Propionate
 Isocaproate
There are blends, or mixtures of tests each with their own ester. These are mutli-esterified. An example is Sustanon 250, Omnadren 250, and Aratest.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular Axis (HPTA):
Secondly you must understand the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular Axis and the affect Anabolic Androgenic steroids has on your HPTA. The use of AAS has a negative affect on your HPTA, which I'll put in simple terms. For a detailed explanation see the following link:

The body is always looking to establish homeostasis, a balance in the body. Upon the introduction of AAS to the body, you begin to reduce your own production. Some AAS compounds are harsher to your HPTA and shut your natural production down hard. A rebound from this shutdown is taxing on the body upon discontinuing use of AAS. Other compounds must be used to help the body return to homeostasis.
The compounds that are harsh on your HPTA will also be harsh on your libido; your sexual drive, and for men can result in a limp penis.
Such compounds that are harsh on the HPTA are:
Trenbolone (fina)
Deca-Durabolin
It is therefore, advisable for at least the sakes of sex, to keep Testosterone as a base for any AAS cycle.

Testosterone as a base:
There are limits to the length of cycle use. When you being AAS use, it takes time for the body to 'swap' its natural testosterone with the synthetic compound. The times vary with the particular ester used. However a short AAS cycle will most likely only result in a shut down of HPTA and not leave the body exposed to the synthetic testosterone long enough for positive gains. Too long of a cycle, and your suppressed HPTA will have a harder time recovering.
Further, the body can develop more or less immunities to AAS on cycles ran too long and cycles ran at too high of a dose.
Secondly, the body has limits for how much it can grow. A longer, higher dosed cycle will not be more effective simply because of the body's tolerance and limited ability to grow.
My own guideline for a first and second time user is any cycle ran less than 8 weeks is too short; any cycle ran longer than 15 weeks is excessive. 10-14 weeks is a good range for a first and second time user.

Estrogen:
Estrogen levels will be elevated during the use of AAS. Remember Homeostasis. Application of either anti-estrogen or anti-aromatizer.

The body has AS receptors and estrogen receptors. Your goal in using AAS is to flood the AS receptors. Your goal is not to flood the estrogen receptors.
How an anti-estrogen works is that it attaches itself to the estrogen receptors so that estrogen will not. Therefore the estrogen remains free floating in your blood stream but unable to leech onto the receptors and take action.
How and anti-aromatizer works is that it prevents the aromatization of steroids. It prevents the compounds conversion into estrogen. This however has the ability to weaken the effect of the steroid compound.
Zero estrogen is not desirable. Some estrogen is necessary, but too much can cause complications such as gynocomastia (man boobies) and water retention to name a few.

Common side effects while on Anabolic Steroids:
Users may experience a number of side effects due to increased synthetic testosterone levels as well as due to increased estrogen levels.
 Cardiovascular complications: High blood pressure can result from use of AAS and with heart problems should seek medical consultation. Combined water/sodium retention and the fact that steroids actually can elevate the cholesterol and triglyceride levels gives explanation to this condition. It is also why some athletes experience a reduction in stamina.
 Acne may result from AAS use, but can be combated a number of ways that should be researched.
 Aggression may also increase while on AAS, however some experience this aggression during high exertion activities, and will otherwise feel somewhat lethargic. Feelings of lethargy, sleepiness throughout the day while on AAS may result. This will be largely affected by the amount of physical activity performed throughout the day.
 hair loss on the scalp can occur. This condition, as with the others, is dependent on the individual. Certain individuals predisposed to premature hair loss may be at a greater risk for this side effect.
 Hair gain, or activation of hair follicles on the body may also occur. Hair follicles on the chest, back, arms and other places may be stimulated.
 Certain steroids are I 7-alpha alky-lated and are toxic to the liver. It is important to note this and limit intake of foods and beverages that will also be strenuous on the liver.
 As previously noted, AAS use will result in a reduced testosterone production, a decreased spermatogenesis, and in some cases testicular atrophy. The degree of suppression depends on the duration of the steroid intake, the administered steroid, and the dosage of the steroid
 Most steroids cause a water and electrolyte imbalance in the body This results in an increased storage of water and sodium which further results in a swelling of tissue (edema)
 Gastrointestinal symptoms such as epigastric fullness, diarrhea, nausea or even vomiting may result and are associated solely with the use of oral, I 7-alpha alkylated steroids. The oral compounds can be administered with food to reduce these side effects.
 Feminization may result in males if estrogen levels are not kept in check. The most popular feminization side effect of estrogen is gynocomastia.
 Females may experience masculinization effects.
 Kidney complications: The kidneys are under more strain during steroid intake. They are involved in the filtration and excretion of toxic by-products. A high blood pressure as well as variations in the water and electrolyte balance of the body can lead to long-term changes in the kidney's function.
There may be more side effects not listed. All side effects should be researched and understood. There are ways to alleviate some of the symptoms. Remedies and counter-actions should be researched before use of AAS.