Athletes sometimes get confused by the word steroid. Not all steroids are performance enhancers, but this does not mean they have no effect on the body or performance. In fact, many athletes do use steroids that are not anabolic – that don’t help you get bigger, stronger, or faster.
Steroids are organic chemical compounds, natural or synthetic, that are fat soluble. They have specific jobs to do in the human body. They have a 17-carbon 4-ring system.
So what does any of that mean? It means that there are a lot of types of steroids. Corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, glycosides – even sex hormones like testosterone are steroids.
Anabolic versus Corticosteroid
The steroids talked about on the news and in doping scandals are anabolic steroids – manmade hormones that are meant to function similarly to testosterone, promoting the growth of muscles and increasing athletic performance. It is important to note that anabolic steroids themselves are not bad, like any medicine, it is just how you use them that matters. They are very important for treating various conditions. Anabolic steroid abuse may pose serious threats to your health:
- Liver function
- Damaged or modified reproductive system
- Heart and circulation damage
- “Roid rage”, a serious psychological effect
- And more
Corticosteroids, on the other hand, have nothing to do with muscle growth. They are used widely throughout the body, mostly for regulating immune responses. Corticosteroid like Prednisone control allergic reaction and help treat autoimmune disorders, such as Asthma, Crohn’s Disease, and Lupus. They may also be needed to reduce inflammation and control protein catabolism blood electrolyte levels.
Athletes Use Corticosteroid, But Not for Performance Enhancement
Sports and athletics can really do a number on your muscles, joints, and other parts of your musculoskeletal system. At times, there is severe inflammation and some basic functions stop working correctly. Prednisone is perfect for athletes at these times, and doctors often recommend it. It will bring down the inflammation quicker than anything and allow you to regain comfort and movement.
Athletes also lose performance when they are suffering from allergies. Pollen especially can be detrimental to outdoor sports, so athletes sometimes are administered a corticosteroid when allowed by athletics drugs regulations.
Are corticosteroids barred from sports?
Unlike anabolic steroids, some sporting governments allow corticosteroids since they are an important medical option to have on the table for serious and common diseases. However, some governments do not. Here is a quick list:
- NCAA – allowed
- Olympics – banned
- High School – Check with your state, but usually allowed
- NFL – allowed
The Olympics tends to be tougher than most organizations in the world. If you are a professional bicyclist, you may also encounter more restrictive doping and drug laws. Some athletes may be excused because of medical conditions, so be sure to have a statement from your doctor and proof you need the medication if you wish to appeal the laws.
Prednisone is a restricted medication in the United States and requires a prescription.
Do corticosteroids have risks for athletes?
All medications have risks. Athletes should be aware that corticosteroid use at high doses over an extended period of time can lead to complications:
- Cataracts
- Decreased wound healing
- Increased risk of infection
- Masking infection
- Osteoporosis