adminInnocent Choga Fitness
Since time immemorial, athletes have always been obsessed with finding ways to improve their physical prowess, cosmetic fitness and maximise on body performance.
As human beings, we have never been content with the natural endowments bestowed upon us by God. We have always tried to modify ourselves to surpass the cheetah in running, to outclass the lion in fighting and to match the elephant in size despite our limited capacities and frames.
This practice dates back from the ancient times when some people believed that eating gonads (testes) of animals would add more testosterone to our natural hormones and enable us perform like animals then or machines now.
Personally, I think that anything that is unnecessarily senselessly modified is bound to have problems, because we are fitting on items that were not specifically designed and prescribed for that item by the manufacturer.
I had a nasty experience when I put mag wheels on my old jalopy. The frequency at which the wheels would chew out the wheel bearings was unbearable, until I resorted back to manufacturer’s specifications. In the same sense I think anything attained through artificial means may not last long or may suffer from the side effects associated with laboratory produced aids.
Research has revealed admittance by some athletes expressing willingness to do anything to ensure that they win.
Of late the issue of performance enhancing substances has been at the centre of the stage in sport.
The alleged state assisted drug cheating of the Russian athletes has opened a can of worms. The world is now a global village and I think it is necessary to advise our youths so that they make informed decisions.
In Zimbabwe I would like to think the problem could be at a minor level since the incentives are very low. But still there is need to guard against it because as a country I think we have enough problems dealing with the existing diseases, illnesses and other family domestic problems and we should not import more problems.
I speak not as a perfect man, but as a concerned parent with a self appointed duty to safeguard the health and fitness our children.
My children are also into sports and I always find myself having to give them lectures on the side effects of laboratory created performance enhancing substances.
This is because they ask me about what they hear about the substances from friends, not to mention the numerous enquiries I also get. There are a number of people who believe performance enhancement is the only way to do sports and convincing them otherwise is very difficult.
Performance enhancement substances used by athletes range from herbs, intoxicants, stimulants, anabolic steroids and growth hormones.
Herbs seem to have the approval of society at large, as they are natural substances that have been used successfully by ancestors. The main concern is the possible toxic effects of untested herbs.
In 1967, an English cyclist died during a Tour de France race. It was said that he had taken a mixture of a stimulant amphetamines and intoxicant alcohol. Stimulants raise the heart rate and alcohol is a diuretic. This combination plus the heat took a toll on him and he passed away during the race.
Another Danish cyclist had passed away in 1960 at the Olympics during a race and it was established that he had amphetamines in his system. People close to this athlete are still disputing that the cause of his death was due to these findings.
I am sure the fact that their relative is being linked to performance enhancing substances rather than his sporting achievements does not go down well with them .Remember at this time these substances had not been blacklisted.
Stimulants and intoxicants as well as pain killers are abused to reduce fatigue and kill the pain. Fatigue and pain are the body’s natural response to extreme performance situations and they serve as a warning .By going past that threshold the body may ceases to function, it will simply shut down.
The above incidents are cited by Eshuys. J, Guest V., Lawrence J. in Fundamentals of Physical Education as some of the early incidences that led to the banning of these substances by the International Olympic Committee and subsequently sporting organisations. The idea is to protect the athlete’s health. These substances have serious long term side effects that can cause irreversible damage.
The other idea is to create fair competition among competitors, imagine if one competitor has an unfair advantage and is winning through the abuse of substances other competitors are most likely to follow suit. And the other issue is ethical; it involves respect for the medical and sport ethics.
Abuse of these synthetic performance enhancing substances is perpetrated not only by athletes, but actors and other non competing individuals who are after cosmetic fitness.
Unlike supplements these substances work like magic but at a cost and the cost may vary in relation to the substance used, amounts used and genetics of individuals. I say genetics because if, for example there is a family history of heart problems, blood pressure or diabetes and it is well known these substances increase blood pressure as well as cholesterol then chances of being affected are high. There are many cases of people dying during amorous acts after taking stimulants.
The issue of high financial returns in international sport and the irresistible glitz and glamour of Hollywood has lured many individuals to disregard their health and naturally endowed physical attributes for cosmetic fitness appeal which some attain through the abuse these substances and plastic surgery.
It is interesting to note one action actor who was caught with growth hormones and testosterone in Australia. At his best physical appearance this guy would never win a place in our local national junior body building contest against our natural youngsters.
When you think of why he takes all that stuff it points out to the idea of making fast and easy gains.
The cost in terms of side effects is high but I wonder if these stars will ever tell the truth of how they suffer in silence and wish they could return to normal? I am not judging but I am just wondering because, whereas the purpose of exercising is to improve one’s physique, health and uplift one’s spirits, stimulants agitates ,steroids and growth hormones alter body and mood and turn one into a Frankenstein’s monster.
Next week I will discuss in full the side effects of these performance enhancing substances.
- Innocent Choga is a six time National Bodybuilding Champion with international experience. Currently he is studying for a science degree in Physical Education and Sport.
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