Steroid use among high school athletes is a growing problem. Steroids are performance-enhancing drugs that mimic the effects of testosterone and can help build muscle and increase endurance. High school athletes may feel pressure to use steroids to get athletic scholarships or please coaches. However, steroid use can have negative health effects and is often due to peer pressure. When used, steroids can improve athletic performance in the short term but long-term use can cause mood disorders, cognitive issues, and other health problems.

1. STEROID USE BY HIGH
SCHOOL ATHLETES
BY OYIH MATILDA

2. ABSTRACT
• A steroid is a substance that is incluce natural androgens such as testosterone as well as
synthetic androgens that are structurally related to testosterone.the use of steroids is a
growing concern among adolescents, due in part to the pressures to perform, the influence
of professional role models, and a general lack of education about the dangers of these
substances. Use of steroids has been identified in high school age students. This literature
review examines the use of steroids by high school athletes. It defines what exactly is a
steroid, why high school atletes us it, and how it affects the high school athletes in their
daily lives.

3. • Most serious athletes will tell you that the drive to win is fierce. Besides the satisfaction of
personal accomplishment, athletes often pursue dreams of winning a medal for their country or
securing a spot on a professional team. In such an environment, the use of performance-
enhancing drugs has become increasingly common. (Mayo, 2015). In a society that places more
emphasis on touchdowns than medical or math discoveries, this sudden this hidden secret of
success traps mor and more young people every year. Use of steroids in sport field is a
widespread phenomenon which has evolved greatly in recent years and greater understanding
of it is efficient for developing efficient prevention program (Walsh, 2018).this literature review
shows how steroid use can affect high school athletes by responding to the following
questions:What are steroids?Why do high school athletes use steroids?What happens when high
school athletes use steroids?How do steroids work in the body?Thousands of high school
athletes hoping to make their mark either in college or professional sports face an agonizing
decision to use steroids.

4. WHAT ARE STEROIDS?
Steroids are hormones, and for body-building purposes the ones of interest are ‘anabolic’
steroids–a number of related compounds that mimic the effects of testosterone, the male
hormone secreted by the testes. Anabolic steroids build strength by entering a muscle cell and
switching on the genes that manufacture muscle proteins. Steroids are commonly used to treat
various conditions such as asthma, arthritis, and inflammation (Jerry, 2004). In many cases, they are
known to be lifesavers. Divided into two categories – Corticosteroids and Anabolic-Androgenic
steroids, the latter in particular is known for having a bad rap over the years due to their abuse by
sportsmen and bodybuilders. .‘Roids’, ‘Juice’, ‘Stackers’ or ‘Gear’ are some common nicknames
for Anabolic steroids, which are often used for muscle-building (“beefing up”) and to increase male
sex characteristics. Due to their endurance-increasing and performance-boosting powers, Anabolic
steroids are widely abused. The rampant use of these performance-enhancing drugs is often traced
to peer pressure, influence by popular athletes and the lure of landing athletic scholarships.
(Otterson, 2017)

6. WHY DO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES USE STEROIDS?
• High school athletes may face such an overwhelming pressure because they not only want to please their coaches,
school, teammates and parents, but they also see excellence in their fields of sport as a ticket to become successful
when they reach college.Social media may have also contributed to this apparent need, the need to become popular
online may influence student athletes to try anything just to become better.A very tempting college scholarship is
another thing that high school athletes have in mind. It’s fairly common knowledge that a good athletic performance
can provide them with more choices in terms of getting into any college that they want (Russet, 2017). Due to their
endurance-increasing and performance-boosting powers, Anabolic steroids are widely abused. The rampant use of
these performance-enhancing drugs is often traced to peer pressure, influence by popular athletes and the lure of
landing athletic scholarships. (Otterson, 2017)What happens when high school athletes use steroids?Due to their
endurance-increasing and performance-boosting powers, Anabolic steroids are widely abused. The rampant use of
these performance-enhancing drugs is often traced to peer pressure, influence by popular athletes and the lure of
landing athletic scholarships. . Combined with exercise, steroids can produce quick gains for the athlete. They can
improve both endurance (helping to workout longer) and speed (helping to run faster), both of which can be
appealing for someone who is trying to get a college scholarship for sports (Jerry, 2004)

8. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES
USE STEROIDS
• Due to their endurance-increasing and performance-boosting powers, Anabolic
steroids are widely abused. The rampant use of these performance-enhancing
drugs is often traced to peer pressure, influence by popular athletes and the lure
of landing athletic scholarships. . Combined with exercise, steroids can produce
quick gains for the athlete. They can improve both endurance (helping to workout
longer) and speed (helping to run faster), both of which can be appealing for
someone who is trying to get a college scholarship for sports (Jerry, 2004)

10. HOW DOES STEROIDS WORK IN THE BODY?
• Anabolic steroids affect the brain neurotransmitter. Testosterone and anabolic
steroids have been found to affect the central nervous system in laboratory
animals and humans. Their locations of affect in the brain are closely linked to
centers that regulate mood, sexuality and aggression. People who use steroids in
excessive doses often experience, during the using period or after it, mood
disorders that meet the criteria of psychiatric disease categories such as
depression, anxiety, psychotic reactions and cognitive deterioration. (Kailanto,
2010) Steroids make muscles grow faster. ... When used by athletes, the goal is to
speed up the body's natural muscle-building process. (Peterson, 2009)

12. • Davies, G. (2015). Steroid abuse by school age children. diversion control
division.Jerry, A. (2004). Toxic Strength. newsweek.Kailanto, S. (2010). Anabolic
steroids causes long-standimg changes in the brain. doping.Mayo, D. (2015).
performance enhancing drugs; know the risks. healthy lifestyle fitness, Pages 45-
46.Otterson, J. (2017). Infographics; Steroid use in high school and college
athletes. NFHS.Peterson, D. (2009, February 19). How do steroids work? Live
science, 5-7.Russet, J. (2017). Steroid abuse in high school and college athletes.
confirm biosciences.Walsh, B. (2018). steroid use among high school athletes. Bob
Walsh.
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