Resumen de Anabolic Steroid Usage in Athletics: Facts, Fiction and Public Relations
Joseph M. Berning, Kents J. Adams, Bryant A. Stamphord
Anecdotal evidence suggests the widespread usage of anabolic steroids among athletes (20�90%), particularly at the professional and elite amateur levels. In contrast, scientific studies indicate that usage is rare and no higher than 6%. Conclusions from scientific studies suggest that anabolic steroid usage declines progressively from high school to college and beyond; however, anecdotal evidence claims the opposite trend. In this clash between ��hard�� scientific data vs. ��soft�� anecdotal information, it is natural that professionals would gravitate toward scientifically based conclusions.
However, in the case of anabolic steroids (a stigmatized and illegal substance), should word-of-mouth testimony from individuals closest to the issues�those who have participated in and coached sports, those who have served as drug-testing overseers, and journalists who relentlessly track leads and verify sources�be set aside as irrelevant? Not if a complete picture is to emerge. In this review, hard scientific evidence is placed on the table side-by-side with soft anecdotal evidence, without weighting or bias. The purpose is to allow the opportunity for each to illuminate the other and, in so doing, potentially bring us a step closer to determining the true extent of anabolic steroid usage in athletics.
