Published online March 1, 2006
PEDIATRICS Vol. 117 No. 3 March 2006, pp. e577-e589 (doi:10.1542/peds.2005-1429)
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Calfee, R.
Right arrow Articles by Fadale, P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Calfee, R.
Right arrow Articles by Fadale, P.
Related Collections
Right arrow Therapeutics & Toxicology

REVIEW ARTICLE

Popular Ergogenic Drugs and Supplements in Young Athletes

Ryan Calfee, MD and Paul Fadale, MD

Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island

Ergogenic drugs are substances that are used to enhance athletic performance. These drugs include illicit substances as well as compounds that are marketed as nutritional supplements. Many such drugs have been used widely by professional and elite athletes for several decades. However, in recent years, research indicates that younger athletes are increasingly experimenting with these drugs to improve both appearance and athletic abilities. Ergogenic drugs that are commonly used by youths today include anabolic-androgenic steroids, steroid precursors (androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone), growth hormone, creatine, and ephedra alkaloids. Reviewing the literature to date, it is clear that children are exposed to these substances at younger ages than in years past, with use starting as early as middle school. Anabolic steroids and creatine do offer potential gains in body mass and strength but risk adverse effects to multiple organ systems. Steroid precursors, growth hormone, and ephedra alkaloids have not been proven to enhance any athletic measures, whereas they do impart many risks to their users. To combat this drug abuse, there have been recent changes in the legal status of several substances, changes in the rules of youth athletics including drug testing of high school students, and educational initiatives designed for the young athlete. This article summarizes the current literature regarding these ergogenic substances and details their use, effects, risks, and legal standing.

Key Words: adolescent health • athletes • drug abuse/use • nutritional supplements • steroids

Abbreviations: NCAA—National Collegiate Athletic Association • DHEA—dehydroepiandrosterone • FDA—Food and Drug Administration

Accepted Aug 11, 2005.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 AMERICAN JOURNAL OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINEHome page
K. Kuczmarski
Do Supplements Benefit Exercise?
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, July 1, 2008; 2(4): 293 - 295.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Br. J. Sports. Med.Home page
O. de Hon and B. Coumans
The continuing story of nutritional supplements and doping infractions
Br. J. Sports Med., November 1, 2007; 41(11): 800 - 805.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 AAP NewsHome page
P. D. Rogers
Creatine use by adolescents not recommended due to limited data
AAP News, August 1, 2007; 28(8): 15 - 15.
[Full Text] [PDF]