The most important thing that constantly nags sportsmen, athletes, bodybuilders is how to improve their performance. Even after working hard during trial or practice sessions and sweating out in the gymnasium the results might just not be up to the mark. Many of you might have considered opting for sports supplements or you just might have heard about them from a teammate. But taking a supplement without really understanding their effects and side effects can have a very negative impact on your career. Yes sports supplement will definitely help in improving your performance but it is very essential to determine whether they are safe or not.
It is very important to know what exactly sports supplements are. They are primarily consumed or injected to improve the performance. But some people also take them for losing weight, increasing strength, and building up muscle mass and to increase stamina. They come in varied forms and are sold under products names such as vitamins, proteins, manmade drugs, hormones. Moreover they can be bought from any counter without any prescription.
One word of caution is that it is better to purchase these supplements after clear consultation with your sports coach, medical provider and other teammates. Most of these are not regulated by any administration and drug guideline. Many of them are not even tested and researched upon so it hard to know whether they are safe and effective. Such information can only be asked from an experienced sports person who has been using a supplement without any side effective. Taking a supplement which has been banned by any sports association can result in fines, disqualification, suspension from the team etc. For sure you must have read about such unfortunate events during Olympics or any other eminent sports meet.
There are many kinds of sports supplements available in the local markets. Some of them are:
- Human growth hormone: Many a times doctors prescribe HGH when a young sport person faces some hormone or growth problem. It is also used by some bodybuilders to increase muscle mass.
- Anabolic steroids: Steroids are used to increase muscle mass and muscle tissue. But in the long run steroids have some serious side effects. It can damage the liver and cause cancer and an unstable blood pressure.
- Androstenedione and DHEA: These are popular nutritional supplements and are now being widely consumed by many people for increased energy levels and to maintain a dietary balance. When taken in greater doses they may have harmful side effects similar to steroids.
- Creatine: Creatine is another drug that is taken to enhance the perforce.
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