Anabolic steroids are mostly known for being used by bodybuilders. Referred to as “performance and image enhancing drug”, anabolic steroids help build muscle mass and decrease fat. They imitate the male sex hormone, testosterone and are ideal for those concerned about their body image and want to look muscular to feel good.
Along with improving the physical image, there’s also the fact that anabolic steroids may reduce the muscle damage that occurs during a hard workout. Therefore, anabolic steroids can appeal to athletes as they help them recover from the session faster, enabling them to work out harder and more frequently.
Some athletes use steroids to increase their muscle mass and strength. Testosterone is the primary anabolic steroid hormone produced by the body, and two of the main effects are that anabolic effects promote muscle building and androgenic effects, which are responsible for male aspects, such as facial hair and a deeper voice.
In this article, we will cover in detail how prevalent anabolic steroids are to athletes, how anabolic steroids work, and the short-term benefits of taking them.
How Often Are Anabolic Steroids Used in Athletes
Anabolic steroids have been prevalent in the sports industry since they were first used in the 50s in weight lifters. In addition, anabolic steroids have been used in strength-based sports such as football, baseball, cycling, etc. They are typically synthetic derivatives of testosterone and can be taken either orally or by injection.
Anabolic steroids aren’t the only drugs that have been used in sports. Drugs such as hormones and stimulants have also been used for performance-enhancement purposes. While this practice has been around for centuries, it is still prevalent in sports competitions.
How Do Anabolic Steroids Work in Athletes?
As previously mentioned, anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of the naturally produced hormone testosterone. They help build muscle mass, but the question is how anabolic steroids work in athletes. The answer is simple: how anabolic steroids work in athletes speeds up the body’s natural muscle-building process.
When lifting weights heavier than we’re used to, tiny micro-tears in muscle fibres are created. The body’s natural repair process repairs the tear and then overcompensates by adding bigger cells to build a stronger fibre called muscular hypertrophy.
The Short Term Benefits of Taking Anabolic Steroids
There are many benefits to taking anabolic steroids. Not only will you have the muscle strength and size enhancement, but also, they will allow an athlete to train harder and have a quicker recovery, as they will often regulate the body’s production of cortisol when the body is under stress.
In addition, anabolic steroids are used to treat several medical conditions, especially for people suffering from muscle atrophy, or to improve some people’s loss of libido. Steroids have been shown to accelerate the production of red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body to reach all tissues and organs.
Anabolic Steroids in Sports
Some athletes may appear to achieve physical gains from anabolic steroids. However, it never hurts to take the time to learn about anabolic steroids’ benefits, risks and effects. Deciding to use anabolic steroids is an important decision that can lead to endless benefits to your physique and self-confidence.
New to anabolic steroids? Here’s how to get started with your first cycle!
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