Dec 17 2011
Effects of Testosterone to Athletes Explained By Biophysicist
Another MLB star player recently tested positive for testosterone. The 28-year old Ryan Braun of Milwaukee Brewer was found positive in the drug test as per the report submitted by WADA. The positive result was triggered by elevated levels of testosterone in Braun’s system. To affirm the result the World Anti-Doping Agency lab in Montreal conducts a more comprehensive secondary test to determine whether the testosterone was a result of natural variations within Braun’s body or from a synthetic source. The test results however indicated that the testosterone came from outside his body.
With the Braun’s case being in dispute, we can’t help but to know the root cause of sport controversies over performance enhancing drugs. A better understanding of the effects of testosterone in an athlete was explained by Dr. Robert Prost, a biophysicist at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The doctor was interviewed during the Wisconsin’s Afternoon News with John Mercure on News Radio 620 WTMJ.
In sports it is oftentimes assumed that if you’re stronger, your possibility in performing better is higher. This is exactly what the athletes sought for. Dr. Prost lined a stream of benefits that athletes wanted so much to achieve with the help of illegal performance enhancing drugs.
Testosterone Helps Build More Muscles
The use of testosterone encourages muscle cells to build more muscle cells. In which according to Dr. Prost, an athlete do not just develop bigger muscle cells but more often it makes the total muscle grow stronger. With the use of testosterone you’re likely to have more red blood cells due to the decrease of the conversion of muscle cells to fat cells inhibiting the death of muscle cells you have. This occurrence therefore, does not just provide an athlete more strength but also allows a faster recovery time to engage in a work out and build more muscle.
Synthetic testosterone can transform an athlete to a super-athlete with stronger and bigger muscles. These amazing results lure several athletes in trying injectable form of testosterone. With the old steroids, it would take almost two months to get out of the body circulation. Athletes turn to the injectable forms of steroids with a typical half-life of under a week to exit the body. In only a matter of three weeks time an athlete turning to testosterone for help can usually get rid of what he has taken, Dr. Prost further explained. This new method of releasing the testosterone out of your system helps athletes avoid detection during drug test.
Dr. Prost further speculates that since player can be randomly tested for up to two times a year, testosterone users may took the chance and start using testosterone right after the first test. This scenario may work for some but remains risky depending on how much notice is given before the next test is to be made.
Warning on Possible Side Effects
Beneficial it may be, Dr. Prost warned that testosterone is something that could bring a lot of bad side effects. Injectable testosterone can promote prostate cancer, increase blood pressure and whole list of health problems. In spite of this, there are several athletes who adhere to testosterone supplements to help them train harder and excel on their chosen sports. The solution is to find safe testosterone supplement that are legal to use. While most testosterone are banned in major sports, athletes can best consider legal way of succeeding in their respective fields through approved testosterone supplement therapy and of course, extensive training.
