It is now common for every athlete to rely on supplements during trainings and competitions. Most believe that taking supplements will improve their performance and as well as their overall health condition. But a recent study showed that supplements are not properly used by some athletes. This is due to unsupervised training regimen and taking supplements without advice from a health professional.

Supplement intake may just be a waste of money and could even harm the body if not monitored properly. According to Martin Fréchette, a researcher and graduate of the Université de Montréal Department of Nutrition, supplements, particularly protein supplements are often poorly used or unnecessary by both high-level athletes and amateurs. The findings also showed that protein supplements will not improve performance and recovery time from fatigue or injury.

Fréchette conducted the study as part of his thesis at the university. The 42 respondents were given questionnaires with questions about their supplements use. They were asked to document their supplement intake and food intake for 3 days. Athletes who participated in the study came from various field of sports like biathlon, cycling, long-distance running, judo, swimming, volleyball, and skating.

Although the study only used a small sample, the findings were also significant. Food supplements are part of the daily consumption of 9 out of 10 athletes and they consume on the average more than 3 different products. These are energy drinks, multi-vitamins, minerals and powdered protein supplements. The researcher found out that most of the athletes have a poor knowledge on these food supplements.

For protein supplements, a very low percentage of product knowledge is evident. “Only one out of four consumers could associate a valid reason, backed by scientific literature for taking the product,” said Fréchette. “The role of proteins is particularly misunderstood,” he added. Even if most athletes rely on protein supplements, stopping it may not affect their performance. “More than 66 percent of those who believed to have bad eating habits took supplements. For those who claimed to have ‘good’ or ‘very good’ eating habits that number climbs to 90 percent,” he said.

The study also noted that more than 80% of athletes taking supplements already had sufficient protein from their diet. “The use of multivitamins and minerals can make up for an insufficient intake of calcium, folate yet not for lack of potassium,” said Fréchette. Based on the study, most of the athletes took more than the required daily intake of some vitamins and minerals which could result to some side effects. According to Fréchette this makes the athletes more susceptible to health problems such as nausea, vision trouble, fatigue and liver anomalies.

The athletes were also interested on the efficiency, legality and safety of these supplements. This could be due to the issue that a lot of sports supplements were tainted with prohibited substances such as steroids. It was reported in a study that 12 to 20 percent of dietary supplements contain a substance not in the list of ingredients or contain banned substances. “Their purity and preparation aren’t as controlled as prescription medication. Sports supplements often contain other ingredients than those listed on the label. Some athletes consume prohibited drugs without knowing.”

Australia has been implementing a strict policy on the illegal entry of anabolic steroids and other banned substances in the country. The latest case is the guilty plea of a former professional football player. Former WestCoast Eagle and Hawthorn player Daniel Chick entered into a plea agreement, through his lawyer, about his illegal importation of anabolic steroids from Thailand. He was investigated by customs officers at Perth airport last October when they found out that Chick failed to declare the drugs.

The Perth Magistrates Court fined the football player with $7,000 for illegal possession of anabolic steroids. The court imposed two charges of importing a prohibited import and knowingly or purposely making a false, misleading statement to a Customs officer. Chick was also required to pay additional $1,000 for the litigation expenses. He was also placed on an 18-month good behaviour bond of $2000 for each charge.

Magistrate Elizabeth Woods, who handles the case, agreed to the request of Chick’s lawyer for a spent conviction against his client. He told the court that Chick needs to travel to the United States to see his eight year old son.

Chick’s lawyer Michael Tudori said that the former footballer had done it tough after ending his career in professional league and their request for spent conviction would also allow Chick to continue working in a mining company as a drill and crane operator. “At the end of his AFL football career he has worked very hard to make a life after football,” said Tudori. “He is not like others who have pubs and alike. He has had to go back and had to do it the hard way, he has gone back to the tools,” Tudori added.

At 33, Chick wanted to rehabilitate his battered body after playing for more than a decade in professional football. When he went to Thailand he purchased anabolic steroids and started a “health program” which he wanted to continue after returning to Australia. According to his lawyer, Chick failed to declare the steroids because of a potent sleeping pill he took during the flight. “He ticked the green one instead of the red one - he accepts that,” said Tudori.

Toduri told the media during an interview after the hearing that his client was relieved and remorseful for his actions. “He made an error, he is sorry, he wants to get on with life after football,” he said. Reporters asked Tudori if Daniel Chick took steroids during his career. The lawyer replied in the negative. “Absolutely not. Anyone who knows him or has followed Daniel’s career knows that is not the case.” He also told the reporters that Chick was no longer taking steroids after the incident. However, another newspaper reported that Chick was under a steroid prescription for his asthma and chest infections.

Before retiring from professional football last year, Daniel Chick spent two seasons with Subiaco in the WAFL. Chick was known for playing a very physical game. He suffered many injuries while still playing for the West coast and Hawthorn. In the report of PerthNow website, Chick had an amputated finger after it was so severely broken it would not heal.

Proud of his clean record in the court, Juan Dixon testified in a congressional hearing in 2005 how he maintained a clean regimen and shunned the use of any performance enhancing drugs. The young player told the panel that he and other NBA players had succeeded through hard work and dedication to their dreams and not through the use of steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs. Juan Dixon is the nephew of former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon.

But after 5 years, his statements may become futile when the news broke out that he tested positive for an anabolic steroid nandrolone while playing for Spanish team Unicaja. Dixon was suspended indefinitely by the Switzerland-based International Basketball Federation. His suspension was caused by a positive test for nandrolone during a test conducted in Greece late last year. According to the Unicaja website, the suspension is indefinite until further notice. They also clarified that Dixon’s steroid test was taken while he was still playing in Greece and not with the Spanish team.

The International Basketball Federation refused to comment on the issue. They have not responded to queries by several media organizations who want to gather more information on the case. Juan Dixon, who is still in Malaga, Spain, is also silent on his suspension. But his wife is quick in defending the former NBA Player. In an interview by the Baltimore Sun, Robyn Dixon said that the positive test could be due to an over the counter supplement. She even made some researches to prove that his husband could be a victim of supplements tainted with steroids.

Robyn Dixon told Baltimore Sun that Juan could be taking an over the counter supplement and had no idea it had any type of steroid in it. “It’s not like he was injecting steroids,” said Robyn. “Playing seven years in the NBA and not having this issue, you don’t think there’s a problem with any of this stuff that’s sold over the counter,” she added. According to her wife, Juan typically will go into GNC and see something and say, ‘I’ll try this.’ If the former Maryland basketball star purchase supplements, it is probably something that would help repair his muscles.

Robyn, who is currently residing in Silver Spring with their two young children, said that she has been doing researches on other athletes who were also tested positive for nandrolone. She believes that there are supplements which can trigger a positive test for steroids. She even quoted an article from a sports website discussing how to avoid a positive nandrolone test when taking supplements. 19-norandrostenedione which is present in some supplements can trigger a positive Nandrolone test. It is chemically related to androstenedione or andro. This substance is commonly banned by major sports organizations.

Dixon played in the NBA for the Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons. He also aimed to be part of the Atlanta Hawks but he was not absorbed by the team. He may not produce good stats in the professional league but his amateur record made him a star in Maryland. He led his Terrapins team to the NCAA championship in 2002.

Dixon’s fate in the Spanish team will be determined by the retesting of his urine sample next week.

Maybe we are already fed up with the news about Tiger Woods on steroids. Accusation about his steroid use may not entice people to read more but talks about his mistresses may be more interesting to some. We seldom read in the news about pro golfers being involved in the use of performance enhancing drugs. It is a sport that is considered by many people as a clean sports. But the reality is, the use of steroids is not only confined in sports requiring physical contact, extra strength and stamina. It may not be rampant in golf but golfers are still tempted to use steroids aside from medical reasons like treatment of a certain health condition.

The report of the Daily Telegraph proves this assumption as one of the young and promising golfer of Australia was recently involved in steroid controversy. They reported that amateur golfer Daniel Nisbet will be facing a two-year ban for possessing steroids during his return to Australia after a competition late last year. The 19-year old golfer, who became part of the national team just last year, was apprehended by customs officers upon his return to the country. He represented Australia at an amateur tournament in Canada but was caught with steroids.

Nisbet’s case is currently on appeal with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA). According to Nisbet, the steroids were intended for another person. It is not yet clear what type of steroids were confiscated from the golfer since the golf association and the ASADA had made an agreement not to disclose any information to the public on the Nesbit’s case. “Our agreement with ASADA means that we can’t publicly comment on it in any shape or form until it’s made public,” said Stephen Pitt, Golf Australia chief executive officer.

Daniel Nisbet will be turning pro this year after his inclusion in the Golf Australia National Squad and Australian Institute of Sport squad members in 2009. But his steroid case will hinder his objective to become a professional golfer and compete in the PGA. Nisbet was also ranked number 26 on the world amateur golf rankings. His career may already end because of the sanction that will be imposed against him which will include banning him in amateur and professional tournaments. Golf Australia chief executive officer Stephen Pitt told the Daily Telegraph that Nisbet is no longer part of the Australian national squad and the Australian Institute of Sport golf squad because Nisbet’s 2009 term had already expired.

The performance of Nisbet in the amateur pleased some of sports officials in Australia. He was even commended by Golf Australia Director-National Elite Development Peter Knight when he was included in the squads. “Both of these squads are made up of our best amateur talent and the inclusion of Daniel Nisbet and Ryan McCarthy shows the quality of players who are not long out of junior golf,” said Knight. “The players who are beginning a career in professional golf do so after having been such great ambassadors for Australia and their respective states. They have our best wishes for long and successful careers as professionals”.

The major league is dominating the headlines for a few weeks now because of the admission of Mark McGwire that he used steroids during the peak of his career. But other sports organizations are coming into the picture because of revelations of steroid dealers that it is not only the major league players but NBA players were also among those frequent customers of their steroid products. There are a few basketball players who were reported sanctioned by the association because of their involvement in banned substances but the number is minimal as compared to baseball, football and athletics.

The minimal number may be due to the effective anti-doping policy of the league or players were able to circumvent their existing policies. Last year, Dallas Mavericks owner commented that he personally favors steroids use in sports but only draws criticism. His statement was in connection with the suspension of Orlando Magic Rashard Lewis for testosterone use. Dwayne Wade was also accused of using steroids by business partners but the allegations stemmed from their business problems. Wade denied using any performance enhancing drugs and the NBA did not make any action to investigate the star player.

The basketball association is firm on its stand that steroid use is not rampant among their players. But the reputation of the association could become questionable if the accusations of former steroid dealers and whistleblowers were true. During an interview with ESPN’s TJ Quinn, Curtis Wenzlaff said that his customers were not confined in baseball and football but it also include basketball. Wenzlaff was convicted for selling and distributing illegal steroids to professional athletes. Some of his clients were Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire. According to Wenzlaff he worked with “25 to 30″ college and professional athletes, from Major League Baseball, the NFL and NBA. He personally prepares “steroid recipes” to these athletes for them to achieve better performance in their field of endeavor. “When I took on a client, not only did I write them workouts; I worked out with them. I wrote them a diet to the point where it was so refined that I wrote what to eat and what time to eat,” he says. “If I took you on, you agreed to do what I said. You came to me to become bionic,” Wenzlaff said.

When asked to name these players, Wenzlaff replied that he is not ready to reveal their names. Instead he told Quinn that the details will be included in the book which he planned to write.

Kirk Radomski, another steroid whistleblower aside from Jose Canseco, also wrote in his steroid book that he sold performance enhancing drugs to an NBA player for several years. Radomski also added that based on his information, numerous NBA players were also into steroids. Radomski was one of the key personalities who helped the congressional inquiry regarding the rampant steroid use in baseball.

In the statement given to ESPN, NBA spokesman Mike Bass said refutes the claims that they are facing the same dilemma with the major league. “We have no comment about an allegation that an unnamed player bought steroids,” he said. “But we have a comprehensive random-testing program for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. A handful of NBA players have been disciplined for failing tests for what the NBA calls SPEDS (steroids or performance enhancing drugs). But by and large it has been assumed that the League does not have this problem -even as players have been getting bigger, faster and stronger,” Bass added.

It was in September when the professional wrestler Jeff Hardy was arrested for possessing prohibited substances. This month, the federal authorities already issued an indictment on the wrestler. The specific charges against him were trafficking in opium, two counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance, maintaining a place for a controlled substance, and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

During the search at his home in Cameron, Moore County sheriff’s deputies seized several prescription pills, anabolic steroids and other prohibited substances. There were 262 Vicodin prescription pills, 180 Soma prescription pills, 55 milliliters of anabolic steroids found at his home. Cocaine powder was also found together with other drug paraphernalia. It was estimated that the total drug value could reach $2,500. Anabolic steroids and Vicodin are controlled substances and classified under Schedule III.

Jeff Hardy’s involvement in the use of anabolic steroid is not new. In 2008, he was suspended by the World Wrestling Entertainment for a second violation of their drug policy. The sport had intensified its campaign against drug use through its Wellness Program. Many critics were not satisfied on the program’s effectiveness in preventing the involvement of wrestlers in drug use. They even blamed McMahon for the continued steroid related deaths in the pro-wrestling. They said that they are actually tolerating the use of steroids in the sports. In fact, Hardy was able to return to the WWE. He got the WWE’s world heavyweight championship belt last summer but left the league when he lost his title in August. He is currently with the TNA.

Hardy is one of the big stars of professional wrestling. During the peak of his career as pro-wrestler, he was able to win six World Wrestling Entertainment world tag-team championships. His success in the tag-team category was achieved with his older brother Matt where they became popular as the Hardy Boyz.

Another indictment was also issued to a Dallas man for alleged illegal possession of steroids and deadly weapon. Hunt County grand jury indicted Logan Wayde Robertson, 20 on 3 counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Based on court records, Robertson was in possession of about 28 grams each of steroids testosterone, nandrolone and trenbolone during his arrest in May 2009 by a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety. In the report of the HeraldBanner, Robertson was also alleged in possession and used a wooden club.

Robertson has still to appear in court but Judge Richard A. Beacom of the 354th District Court appointed an attorney to represent him. The formal arraignment of the respondent was re-scheduled on March 24. If convicted of the charges, Robertson can face 2 to 10 years in prison. The fine could also reach $10,000.