By Reggie Reyes, BKin

If you’re a Canadian sports fan or interested in international sporting events, you’ll agree that a defining moment in sports history occurred in 1988 in Seoul, Korea, when Ben Johnson crossed the finish line with his arm in the air for the last several meters completely shattering the world record. I’m sure every Canadian can recall where they were at that very moment and remembers being proud of their Canadian heritage.

We all know what happened next; scandal, back stabbing and finger pointing. Steroid use stripped Ben of the glorious gold medal and Canadians of their patriotic pride. Our national hero sadly became perceived as a national embarrassment, not even of Canadian heritage! I personally feel sorry for Ben, who in my mind is still one of the best trained athletes in the history of sports and whose illustrious career was cut short because of misguided advice. The most unfortunate truth about the situation (especially for Ben) is that he was not the only Olympic medalist who used steroids.

A positive impact of this scandal was the knee-jerk response of trainers, coaches, international sport-governing bodies and anti-doping agencies to pay more attention to the growing popularity of substance use (or abuse) for athletic performance, especially in young athletes.

This newfound interest led to stricter laws governing the use of specific substances, improved measurement and testing procedures as well as funding for related research and education projects. The ongoing challenge is to eliminate the use of all banned substances in professional sports and international competition. The best plan of action begins with educating the public of the potential dangers involved in taking these substances so that people can make informed decisions.

Performance-enhancing substances
In the sport training industry, substances that enhance sport performance are known as ergogenic aids. These substances are used to improve strength, speed, aesthetic appeal or recovery time. It is important to note that not all ergogenic aids are bad for you or against the law. For example, in many cases, such as caffeine, it is the amount or concentration level of the substance that defines its legitimacy. Therefore, the user needs to be educated on proper proportions or concentration levels. As a frame of reference, I have attached a table that categorizes ergogenic aids as acceptable, questionable or illegal.

Steroids
One of the most popular and controversial ergogenic aids used in sports are pharmacological agents called anabolic-androgenic steroids. This synthetic form of testosterone has muscle/protein-building (anabolic) and masculinizing (androgenic) properties and is either ingested orally or injected directly into the muscle. The use of steroids has increased in young athletes because of the muscle building properties. The rationale is that larger muscles will improve performance.

This could not be any further from the truth. Technique and body biomechanics supersede all strength benefits. As well, muscle strength, not size, is the driving force behind speed and power movements. Take a look at the golf swing: Why is it that 14-year-old golf-phenomenon Michelle Wie can hit the ball farther than many men at least twice her muscle size and strength? It all boils down to her technique and body biomechanics. Added strength is simply icing on the cake. But, at what cost? Proper education on training techniques for athletes in accordance with knowledge on the cost-benefit ratio of ergogenic aids will provide our young athletes with the knowledge to make the right decision.

Short-term gain and long-term pain
The unfortunate reality is that in many cases, the perceived benefits of many ergogenic aids pale in comparison to the potential side effects. Mis-education is prevalent, especially in young athletes, and the consequences can be fatal. This is evident for many athletes who die at an early age or develop conditions that negatively affect their health for the rest of their lives. The following is a short list of the health costs associated with steroid-use:

In any case, most sports involve a combination of speed, power and muscular endurance (not to mention agility, balance and coordination) Therefore, do not dismiss the importance of strength training, as all of the above components are derived from pure strength. Keep in mind that a step-type approach must be used to allow the athlete to safely adapt to the demands of training. Remember, you cannot build a house overnight. It takes a lot of time, patience, planning and effort!

The Bompa Training System education and certification courses and services provide the perfect balance of the technical-tactical aspects of athletic training and the physical fitness components required to enhance and accentuate these skills at the proper time. Our research background combined with our fitness and health experience provides us with the knowledge to enable you to design effective exercise programs.