[Anabolics and sports].

Anabolics (anabolic steroids and, in recent years, recombinant human growth hormone) are used to enhance athletic performance. Although there is no definite proof of a performance enhancing effect of anabolic steroids (ethical difficulties and blinding problems with high dose steroid treatment), evidence suggests that steroids may increase muscular strength in some subgroups of athletes. Unfortunately, numerous side effects and (in some cases at any rate) permanent damage may occur as a consequence of abuse of anabolics. This is chiefly the case in adolescents and women. As long as athletes and their trainers believe in the efficacy of anabolics, and no mandatory testing in the training periods is imposed, the abuse of anabolics by athletes will distort fair competition in sport.