Year after year there are cases in all sporting disciplines of suspensions of players for doping. These penalties usually vary depending on the substance the athlete used. One of the most common is testosterone, but what is it? And why is it prohibited in sport?
The most recent case of use of this substance was that of Paul Pogba, who tested positive for testosterone and could face a sanction of up to 4 years away from football. This substance is one of many that is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list as prohibited in sport.
But does testosterone improve an athlete’s performance? The short and simple answer is “yes.” Well, as Antoine Faix, urologist-andrologist, explained to AFP, “testosterone is the male hormone par excellence, favors muscle development, hence its frequent use in athletes who dope. This is what we call anabolic and is due to the way in which proteins are assimilated.”
On the other hand, Michel Audran, professor of biophysics at the University of Montpellier, also explained to AFP that: “Testosterone helps produce muscle but also speeds up its recovery.”. It is also a psychostimulant that helps increase the athlete’s motivation and desire to succeed. For this reason, it is one of the products most used by athletes who take drugs,” he stated.
According to Audran himself, Testosterone is one of the main substances used by male athletes, since it is very difficult to detect. Well, man produces it naturally.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has a list of more than 100 substances banned in sports, including testosterone. Which is considered “anabolic androgenic steroids” and a doping product.
Keep reading:
· Paul Pogba provisionally suspended while investigations into alleged doping take place
· In Peru they appeal to shaman spells to neutralize Neymar
· Italian prosecutor investigates AC Milan players for chanting against Juventus [Video]
