Masters Swimming and Illegal Supplements

Originally posted by gull80 Again I would refer you to the list on the WADA website. In the first place, the majority of the drugs listed are clearly performance enhancing (anabolic steroids, growth hormone, etc.), and very few, if any, Masters swimmers are using these to treat a legitimate medical condition. Second, if an athlete requires, say, a diuretic for hypertension, it can be used with a Therapeutic Use Exemption. I'm not strongly advocating this be implemented in USMS, but this debate tends to stray from the facts. Hi Craig, Thank you very much for the information, but I'm already very familiar with WADA. I think Bob’s messages help clarify what I was trying to say earlier – but I’d also like to add a few bullet-points for those who may not know about the actual medical applications of certain banned substances. Let’s look at three of the big ones: erythropoietin (EPO), human growth hormone (hGH), and anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). All of these drugs are used in medical treatments. • EPO stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells, and can be given as a treatment for a low red blood cell count (anemia), or as an alternative to a blood transfusion. If your hemoglobin level falls too low after treatment with certain types of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, EPO is one of the treatments available. • hGH is is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland of humans. Although it is used most frequently for treating children with a deficiency in their natural hGH levels and children who are shorter than their peers but have no hGH deficiency, it is also used as a treatment for Chronic Renal Insufficiency and Turner's Syndrome. Studies have also been performed and completed using hGH to quicken the repair of wounds, torn cartliage, and non-healing fractures, as well as treating juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthosis • anabolic-androgenic steroids are man-made substances related to male sex hormones. “Anabolic” refers to muscle-building, and “androgenic” refers to increased masculine characteristics. “Steroids” refers to the class of drugs. These drugs are available legally only by prescription, to treat conditions that occur when the body produces abnormally low amounts of testosterone, such as delayed puberty and some types of impotence. They are also prescribed to treat body wasting in patients with AIDS and other diseases that result in loss of lean muscle mass. Certainly, athletes abuse these substances. There may even be Masters athletes who abuse them. Personally, I think it is much more likely that Masters aged athletes would take those drugs to treat actual medical conditions rather than enhance their athletic performance. Then, there’s still the question of incentive. Personally, although I realize there are a few people out there who live to see their names in print, having my name on a list is not what validates my swimming experience. I believe that's probably the case for most Masters swimmers. ~SB

Originally posted by Ion Beza He proved recently that the manufacturer of a supplement was misleading on the label. This only proved that himself, Kicker Vencill, was not cheating. What a bunch of crap! Did the manufacturere hold the guy's mouth open and force him to take the "supplement?" A person who's foolish enough to roll the dice with unregulated substances should be prepared for potential consequences. Typical reaction - sue the manufacturer, refuse to take personal responsibility. I believe Rafael Palmeiro used this insane argument for a while after he was initially busted and has been roundly lampooned. I also think high levels of caffeine are banned at some level. This would disqualify me and gull, maybe for life.

Originally posted by Swimmer Bill This question is more complicated for Masters swimmers than it is for USA swimmers. Why? Because Masters swimmers take a variety of medications for legitimate health reasons. Several medications may have performance enhancing qualities. Others may inhibit performance. I'm assuming this question is not directed toward those people, but unfortunately, drug testing in Masters swimming would include people who take medications for health reasons. Does USMS want to send a message to those swimmers that they cannot take the medications they need for their health? No. Again I would refer you to the list on the WADA website. In the first place, the majority of the drugs listed are clearly performance enhancing (anabolic steroids, growth hormone, etc.), and very few, if any, Masters swimmers are using these to treat a legitimate medical condition. Second, if an athlete requires, say, a diuretic for hypertension, it can be used with a Therapeutic Use Exemption. I'm not strongly advocating this be implemented in USMS, but this debate tends to stray from the facts.

Originally posted by Swimmer Bill Certainly, athletes abuse these substances. There may even be Masters athletes who abuse them. Personally, I think it is much more likely that Masters aged athletes would take those drugs to treat actual medical conditions rather than enhance their athletic performance. I think you've missed my point. Yes, these banned substances have a role in the treatment of certain well-defined medical conditions. Dialysis patients or patients undergoing chemotherapy receive epogen to boost their red blood cell production. Typically, though, they are still relatively anemic. AIDS patients or others with chronic wasting diseases may be given anabolic steroids (which are Schedule IV controlled substances). However these scenarios are very uncommon among Masters swimmers who are actively competing. What I'm hearing is an argument that testing for banned substances among Masters swimmers is problematic, since we've been prescribed these drugs to treat legitimate medical conditions. I don't believe this argument holds water. The fact is, the vast majority of medications prescribed to Masters swimmers are not on the WADA list. As to the question of incentive--look, people do a lot of crazy things. Masters swimmers invest quite a bit of time and money in the sport. It's easy to lose perspective.

I also think high levels of caffeine are banned at some level. This would disqualify me and gull, maybe for life. You can include me on that list.

Hi Craig, I didn't miss the point. I just disagree with it. Nothing personal. It's just my opinion. ~SB Originally posted by gull80 I think you've missed my point. Yes, these banned substances have a role in the treatment of certain well-defined medical conditions. Dialysis patients or patients undergoing chemotherapy receive epogen to boost their red blood cell production. Typically, though, they are still relatively anemic. AIDS patients or others with chronic wasting diseases may be given anabolic steroids (which are Schedule IV controlled substances). However these scenarios are very uncommon among Masters swimmers who are actively competing. What I'm hearing is an argument that testing for banned substances among Masters swimmers is problematic, since we've been prescribed these drugs to treat legitimate medical conditions. I don't believe this argument holds water. The fact is, the vast majority of medications prescribed to Masters swimmers are not on the WADA list. As to the question of incentive--look, people do a lot of crazy things. Masters swimmers invest quite a bit of time and money in the sport. It's easy to lose perspective.

Originally posted by Phil Arcuni I know I would be pretty upset if my one-a-days contained illegal performance enhancing drugs. This has nothing to do with you being a communist and me being an American capitalist. I agree with you that if these were One-A-Days there might be an issue. However, I was under the impression we were discussing some type of supplement, not a vitamin with some ginseng tossed in. Still, any elite athlete should always err on the side of caution when taking these potion supplements.

If you choose to believe that substances on the WADA list are commonly prescribed to Masters athletes, that is your prerogative. As a practicing physician, my perspective is somewhat different. Aside from diuretics, insulin, and bronchodilators, I have not found this to be the case. Do I think there is a lot of abuse in USMS? No.

Hi Craig, That's not really what I was saying. I agree that those substances probably aren't commonly prescribed, but I do believe a majority of USMS swimmers who take those types of drugs would be taking them for health reasons rather than performance enhancement. I come into contact with thousands of Masters swimmers each year. There probably are a few out there who do take those drugs for performance enhancement, but in general I feel that type of behavior is not characteristic of the majority of people I meet in Masters swimming. I simply don't believe that USMS has a rampant problem with people using performance enhancing drugs, nor do I feel the concern is great enough for USMS to devote time and resources with investigation. ~SB Originally posted by gull80 If you choose to believe that substances on the WADA list are commonly prescribed to Masters athletes, that is your prerogative. As a practicing physician, my perspective is somewhat different. Aside from diuretics, insulin, and bronchodilators, I have not found this to be the case. Do I think there is a lot of abuse in USMS? No.

First, shouldn't it be"those who take?" For medical reason, I take medication that both improve my abilities and cause a hindrance.