With the apparent increase in use of supplements as human growth hormone, testosterone, HGH, EPO and IGF-1 in sports (particularly cycling) during the last decade, I wonder if their use has managed to leak over to masters events...... including swimming. Seems silly to me that anyone would use hardcore muscle building agents as these in a setting such as masters so late in life. Is it worth implementing drug testing, or does it really matter in the end....... after all its just masters.
John Smith
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Former Member
Sam,
Certainly, individuals taking hardcore muscle building illegal supplements for purely medical reasons as prescribed by their physicians would seem to be exempt from the discussion. One would assume that no one would want to trade places with them given a physical ailment that required taking the drugs.
The topic in that thread was more intended around the use of drugs in sports at a masters level for alreay "healthy" participants.
Creatine is an interesting topic. I've used it myself about 4 years ago. I found it "energetic" in the water but offered no substantial or lasting strength gains. As I remember my bench press went up about 10-15 lbs. but that was about it. The side effects for me were absolutely miserable and I couldn't continue using it. I'd venture to guess that many participants (particularly the sprinters) were using creatine at Worlds.
Creatine (while debatably cheating) is a more of rounding error compared to the supplements I previously listed. As we all know now, over the counter (GNC related) supplements are not as effective when compared to the techology of Balco like created solutions.
Good question .... where does one draw the line?
John Smith
Sam,
Certainly, individuals taking hardcore muscle building illegal supplements for purely medical reasons as prescribed by their physicians would seem to be exempt from the discussion. One would assume that no one would want to trade places with them given a physical ailment that required taking the drugs.
The topic in that thread was more intended around the use of drugs in sports at a masters level for alreay "healthy" participants.
Creatine is an interesting topic. I've used it myself about 4 years ago. I found it "energetic" in the water but offered no substantial or lasting strength gains. As I remember my bench press went up about 10-15 lbs. but that was about it. The side effects for me were absolutely miserable and I couldn't continue using it. I'd venture to guess that many participants (particularly the sprinters) were using creatine at Worlds.
Creatine (while debatably cheating) is a more of rounding error compared to the supplements I previously listed. As we all know now, over the counter (GNC related) supplements are not as effective when compared to the techology of Balco like created solutions.
Good question .... where does one draw the line?
John Smith
