Abstract

The misuse of hormones and hormone-like substances in sports in order to improve physical performance is becoming increasingly widespread. Anabolic steroids have been used for this purpose since the 1950s and have been, in later years, supplemented by testosterone, growth hormone, HCG, ACTH, vasopressin and possibly others. The use of anabolic steroids in sports far exceeds their prescription by physicians in a country like Sweden, indicating significant illegal import of the drugs. Hormone-doping includes the taking of various substances in large dosages over long periods of time according to sophisticated schemes. Scientific data on the effect of hormone-doping on sports performances are available only for anabolic steroids and testosterone, but are inconclusive. Together with information from athletes and coaches, they suggest, however, a possible effect on certain athletes in certain sports events. Serious negative side effects of hormone-doping have been recorded for anabolic steroids and testosterone, whereas side effects of doping by growth hormone and other hormones are not yet known, and can only be deduced from their known biological actions. Serious efforts are being made by various sports organizations at both the national and international level to fight doping, mainly by continuously expanding doping test programs. Verf.-Referat