| Description |
An investigation of growth hormone (GH) use through the use of questionnaires and biological data was conducted to provide baseline information that may be used to develop future qualitative and quantitative assessments of GH use by athletes. Twenty-six football players, 20 endurance runners, and 26 control subjects participated in this study. First, the investigator attempted to determine if there was a difference in the normal "first-morning" levels of serum GH and plasma somatomedin-C (SM-C) in two populations of well-conditioned male athletes, as compared to sedentary males. Overall, no significant differences were found in the first-morning serum levels of GH between the two populations of well-conditioned male athletes and sedentary control subjects studied (corrected XS = 1.61818, R < 0.445). However, significantly elevated plasma levels of SM-C were detected in the athlete groups (corrected X2 = 8.47436, R < 0.014). No significant differences were found in either GH or SM-C levels between football players and endurance runners (y = 225.5000, R < 0.456) . Second, a questionnaire was used to examine the attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge of two specific athlete populations regarding GH use. Fifty-seven percent of all athletes admitted to personally knowing someone who used steroids to enhance athletic performance and 17.0% claimed to personally know someone who used GH. Approximately 6% of all athletes indicated that the use of GH was an acceptable method for enhancing athletic performance, and 89% of all athletes responded that the use of GH would have a long-term effect on health. Most athletes participating in the study (6.4%) claimed not to be currently taking any drugs, including steroids and GH, to enhance athletic performance. However, approximately 30% of surveyed athletes indicated that such substances would be used if prescribed by a physician or other health professional. This study provided initial evidence to indicate that use of GH occurs in the athletic community. Health educators can playa positive role in discouraging GH abuse before the supplies increase and abuse patterns begin to parallel those of steroids. |
