Steroids

Andre Agassi, a retired American tennis player and former World No.1 has admitted in his autobiography that he used crystal meth all along his illustrious tennis career. Crystal meth provides the user with sustained energy and a general sense of well-being. It increases the person’s wakefulness and stamina and lowers his need for food and rest. Side effects of drug include high agitation, extreme emotions, intense paranoia and violent behavior.

Have u forgotten the case of the controversial cricketer-Mohammad Asif? The Pakistani fast bowler had been arrested at Dubai airport on charges of possessing illegal drugs. The arrest was not the first time that Asif was involved in such a controversy. Asif was making a comeback from injuries and had used the drug- Nadrolone. Nadrolone is used to promote muscle building and enables athletes to recover from workout quickly.
A similar case was of Shane Warne. The Aussie spinner had used Nadrolone to recover from injuries so that he could participate in the 2003 World Cup. The results-both, Warne and Asif were banned and Warne missed the very prestigious World Cup.

Now the question is that what are these Steroids? According to the Cambridge definition, steroids are a group of compounds derived from testosterone or produced synthetically to stimulate tissue repair and body growth. Steroids are commercially available in several forms including tablets, injectables and powder forms.

In sports, steroids are strictly prohibited and are considered as illegal compounds. If an athlete is tested positive for steroids, he can be banned for life. Yet despite the sanctions, some athletes use these drugs to improve the athletic performance. Steroids are popular in sports like swimming, weightlifting, bodybuilding, track and field events and cycling as these are the sports which require speed, power and endurance.

Let us now see the types of steroids-
1) Anabolic Steroids
2) Cortico Steroids

Anabolic steroids are...