me wrote:
In the American National Football League, body shape of the big players changed dramatically when they began testing rigorously. Ya they take supplements from an approved list, so I guess someone could argue they are "doping".
It is hard, and some get through, but with rigorous testing, there really shouldn't be much of a problem with doping.
It is hard, and some get through, but with rigorous testing, there really shouldn't be much of a problem with doping.
Then I wrote:
me wrote:
They went from pure muscle when they were on steroids to big and fatties. Whatever they are on now isn't as good. If you're looking for zero, that isn't what I said. Testing made a huge difference.
Then smash wrote:
Smash wrote:
YOU are the one who claimed linemen got smaller after drug testing was implemented. Offering zero evidence of this.
It's not just this thread, or I would let it slide, but in so many threads recently Smash just endlessly restates his positions with zero evidence as if by verbal weight they will somehow have an effect.
When asked for specifics:
smash wrote:
It's supposition, obviously.
Flaming is entertaining and all but it really doesn't make up for a lack of substance.
Speaking of substance, I have far less evidence then I would like on the matter of steroids in the NFL.
The serious drug testing in the NFL started some time ago and at that time I heard many stories on it. The quote which sticks out in my mind was an offensive linesman from the Cowboys who said something to the effect that enhanced testing gave big fat people (like him) a chance. I have spent a few minuets searching and am unable to find a link. I thought this was common knowledge as it was a question so often asked at that time. I recall studies linking it to lower injury rates but I didn't look into them at that time.
In "They Call It a Game" Bernard Parrish says in Cleveland the whole team was given drugs before the games. He had taken speed since his college days and my recollection of his story is that at least his pill from the Browns included speed. After he went to Houston, they gave a different drug which was not as effective and played poorly as a result. I'm not an expert on NFL drug testing, but my impression is this kind of stuff can't happen now.
My understanding is that the situation is vastly improved in the NFL as a result, see for example www.post-gazette.com/Steelers/20020603steele0603p3.asp. As smash correctly points out HGH is undetectable and thus likely widely used however the main question is whether testing at all is worthwhile. A test for HGH is upcoming and it apparently will be a blood test and the player's union is opposed. But the question of the moment is: have they just substituted one evil for another, or for a lesser one?
Not a doctor. Couldn't tell ya.