Disadvantages of PEDs

Disadvantages of PEDs

Understanding PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs)

  • Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) are substances used by athletes to improve their performance in sports.
  • These drugs can include anabolic steroids, human growth hormones, stimulants, diuretics and even common substances like caffeine.
  • Despite their perceived advantage, PEDs have numerous disadvantages and pose multiple negative impacts on athletes and sports, overall.

Health Risks of PEDs

  • Short-term health risks: PEDs can lead to numerous immediate health problems, including high blood pressure, aggressive behaviour, heart palpitations and cardiovascular disease.
  • Long-term health risks: Long-term use can cause irreversible damage including heart attacks, strokes, liver damage, reduced fertility and psychiatric issues like depression and anxiety.
  • Unknown risks: The long-term effects of new substances are often unknown. This makes them particularly dangerous as they could cause unforeseen health problems.

Ethical Disadvantages of PEDs

  • Undermines principles of fair play: PEDs provide an unfair advantage, undermining the principle of fair competition which is at the heart of sports.
  • Creates a false image of accomplishment: Success achieved using PEDs is not accomplished purely through the athlete’s natural ability or hard work, which discredits their achievements.
  • Pressure to conform: If PED usage becomes more prevalent, it may put pressure on other athletes to also use substances, against their moral judgement, to avoid being at a disadvantage.

Social Disadvantages of PEDs

  • Public Scandals: PEDs scandals can negatively impact an athlete’s reputation and career. This also casts a negative light on the sport as a whole, potentially discouraging young people from participating.
  • Discrediting achievements: The records and accomplishments of any athlete found guilty of using PEDs are often controversially viewed, undermining the value of their successes and the effort put in other athletes who competed cleanly.
  • Loss of role models: Athletes using PEDs set a poor example as role models for young athletes who look up to them, encouraging a ‘win at all costs’ mentality.

Ped usage not only undermines the true spirit of sports, but also creates various health, ethical, and social complications. Therefore, understanding and recognising these disadvantages is an important part of sportsmanship and athlete development.