Performance Enhancement Research Paper

Performance Enhancement Research Paper

Androstenedione – it was a perfectly legal nutritional substance that was easily accessed in a health food store, but is now banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and classified as an anabolic/androgenic substance. What does it do, and why would someone use it? This supplement was made famous after Mark McGuire of the St. Louis Cardinals’ admitted to using it. It is now illegal to use androstenedione, as well as any other prohormone without good medical reason. The question remains though, what about androstenedione is good cause for it to be banned and illegal? What known effects does it have on one’s health, both in the long- and short-term? In order to come to any conclusions on its impact on human performance, these questions must be thoroughly investigated. It is important to understand both the advantages and disadvantages to anabolic/androgenic steroids and, more specifically, prohormones, allowing for a better understanding of androstenedione itself.

The word “anabolic” refers to muscle building, and the word “androgenic” can refer to an increase in masculine characteristics. An anabolic steroid is defined as a synthetic derivative of the male hormone testosterone. They are the most highly publicized of performance-enhancing drugs. Prohormones are a type of androgenic steroid, either converting to testosterone or stimulating the testosterone being produced naturally by the body. They do this by forming derivatives similar to androgen. Androstenedione is a prohormone that is produced naturally by the adrenal glands and the testes. It was the first prohormone to break into the sports nutrition industry, after being used by Mark McGuire, who showed tremendous success in baseball. Although it is produced naturally in the body, many take this substance. It can be administered orally, nasally or by injection. It directly produces the male hormone testosterone, and is therefore highly appealing to those wishing to undergo an increase in masculine characteristics, such as muscle strength.

Androstenedione poses a number of advantages to those who are bodybuilding, weight training, or are involved in demanding sports. It is said to increase testosterone levels in the body by 200 per cent. For this reason, in addition to give a male’s sex drive a boost, it is very helpful in increasing both muscle size and strength. Many say that it will also decrease the recovery time after a workout. Research shows that many young children who wish to be involved in these types of activities use it. At this point in time, there is still no credible data that can be used as assurance as to whether or not this drug actually has any major effects on the human body. No results have been found to determine this, and no results have been found to determine whether or not it is safe. The effects of androstenedione have only been established based on those who have taken the substance, such as Mark McGuire. McGuire was the recipient of many awards relating to baseball, and appeared to be at an advantage because of the androstenedione that he was on, hitting copious home runs. Those who take the substance base their decision on these ideas, rather than on proven scientific facts.

There are a number of long- and short-term effects, as well as possible hazards that could be involved in taking this prohormone. Some simple side effects that could occur in men are the enlargement of the prostate, acne, and a decrease in HDL (“good cholesterol’). In the long term, some may experience enlargement of the testicles and impotence, and some may even develop some female characteristics such as slight breast enlargement. In addition to this, it could even cause liver damage. Although the substance is not recommended for women, possible side effects include acne, facial hair, and the deepening of the voice. The Archives of International Medicine states, “not only is androstenedione not effective in growing larger and stronger muscles, but also that it is not safe and has the potential