Australia should stop beefing up its steroid laws – that won’t help users
There is an urgent need to reconsider steroid use as a public health issue as opposed to a criminal justice concern.
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Articles on Performance enhancement
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Terbutaline: the drug at the heart of British Cycling’s week from hell
Asthma medication can cause trouble for athletes but why are some inhalers alright while others need permission to use?
The science of doping and how cheating athletes pass drug tests
Organisers of the World Championship in Athletics will be on their toes after recent revelations of mass doping by endurance athletes. Here's what you need to know about doping and how to evade it.
Taking gym steroids can affect your learning and memory
The physical impact of anabolic steroids are well known but there are also mental effects.
A-Rod may get his millions but his future remains murky
Alex Rodriguez, the New York Yankees’ erstwhile third baseman, has had an interesting career in more ways than one. His use of steroids has resulted in a sullied reputation and a one-year suspension without…
Want to win? Let music give you the edge
Let’s hope the Wallabies are inspired by a rousing rendition of the national anthem as they prepare to face their old enemy the All Black’s at tomorrow’s Bledisloe Cup match. The Kiwis invariably come…
Health warning about body-sculpting drug clenbuterol
The growing number of Australians illicitly using the drug clenbuterol to lose weight and build muscle mass are putting themselves…
Muscling up: are steroids an emerging criminal threat?
High-profile claims of links between elite sports and organised crime in Australia – such as those outlined in last year’s Australian Crime Commission (ACC) report – have put performance and image enhancing…
Health Check: does caffeine enhance performance?
Unlike many drugs, caffeine may be taken legally by people of all ages, which helps make it the world’s most widely used stimulant. Approximately 80% of the world’s caffeine is consumed in the form of…
We’re getting tougher on doping cheats – but why?
What’s the point of anti-doping? And what’s the point of sport in the early 21st century? Is the current system of anti-doping good for our kids, our athletes and is it good for sport? Is it even good…
We need an advocate against ASADA’s power in doping control
Should an athlete advocacy organisation be established to help athletes navigate the minefield of banned and permitted substances in sport? We believe it should be. Last week’s report by the Australian…
Essendon faces a doping investigation … but what are peptides?
By now you’ll have heard the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) is investigating Essendon Football Club. At this stage, there has been speculation about the injection of “peptides” by players…
Carbo loading for sport is simple … when you know how
During the London Olympics, and beyond, many endurance athletes will attempt to increase their muscle glycogen stores by carbohydrate loading. This is because, despite its importance, glycogen is a fuel…
Lance Armstrong charged with ‘blood doping’ and EPO-use … so how do they work?
The cauldron of long-standing doping allegations against former professional cyclist Lance Armstrong has finally boiled over. The seven-time Tour de France winner is now facing charges from the US Anti-Doping…
Sports referees should take performance-enhancing drugs
Late last week football (soccer) website football365.com reported that FIFA, the international governing body for the world game, is considering forcing referees to pass fitness tests prior to games. This…
Cannabis use, WADA and the Australian sports system
It has been widely reported that representatives from a group of Australian sporting codes – including athletics, cricket, rugby league and Australian Rules Football – met with the director-general of…
Drugs to enhance us will enchant us … especially if there are no side effects
When people think about taking a new drug that can enhance who they are, or consider giving it to their child, their most immediate and appropriate concern centres on the potential health dangers. While…
Top contributors
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Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Sydney
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Lecturer in Law, Deakin University
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Honorary Associate Australian Centre for Olvmpic Studies, University of Technology Sydney
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Professor; Head, School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology
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Professor in the School of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria University
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Senior Lecturer in Public Health, Deakin University
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Associate professor, University of Melbourne
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Researcher, Institute for Sport, Exercise and Active Living and Senior Lecturer, College of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria University
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Postdoctoral Research - Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University
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Chris Forbes-Ewan is a Friend of The Conversation.
Retired nutritionist, Defence Science and Technology Organisation
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Professor Exercise Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Western Australia
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Senior Lecturer of Addiction, Edith Cowan University
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Assistant Professor in Criminology, Bond University
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Advanced trainee in toxicology and addiction medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; clinical lecturer, addiction medicine, University of Sydney
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Professor of Psychology, University of Southern Queensland
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