PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

MAKING A SUPERMAN: WHY ATHLETES TAKE HGH

 

Even those of us who rarely take an interest in professional sports will have heard the stories and rumors about athletes using Human Growth Hormone, HGH for their benefit. The use of this hormone has been one of the great debates in global sports because of the lack of clear research regarding its long-term effects on the performance of professional sportspeople.

The use of this kind of hormone has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and remains a problem for the majority of leagues and governing bodies in a range of sports. What we do know is that the hormone can improve muscle mass, provide greater levels of energy, and is thought to reduce downtime between training sessions.

What is HGH?
Human Growth Hormone is a peptide hormone that originates in the pituitary gland, according to the Medzone HGH & Testosterone Clinic. The human body uses this hormone as a way of stimulating bone and organ growth throughout the early years of life with the development of the hormone peaking in late childhood and puberty. After puberty, the amount of this growth hormone that is needed dips and will start to fall significantly when we reach middle age.

The way the body uses the hormone changes throughout our lives with the early years seeing its use focused on bone and organ growth. As we grow older and the growth of the body halts, the growth hormone is used to produce protein, increase energy levels, and stimulate blood sugar, Harvard reports.

Why is HGH illegal in sports?

The use of HGH in sports is an area os concern for the governing bodies of sporting events and WADA who have been looking to create a level playing field for athletes. Human growth is stimulated by the hormone and it is believed the athletic performance of an individual can be improved when they are using the hormone illegally. 

The reason for the decision to ban the use of growth hormones is the fear that its illegal use will allow an individual to gain a huge amount of muscle mass that will give them an unfair advantage. The stimulation of anti-aging hormones increases the levels of energy each athlete has regularly with its use often given credit for higher levels of training possible in a sportsperson. One of the reasons for the banning of the hormone comes from the consistent athletic gains made by those who have been shown to have used it for their benefit.

The hormone has been shown to have a positive effect on a range of health issues that can affect people of all ages, including vision and teeth development. In a recent Australian study reported by Live Science a group of athletes given growth hormone injections reported a four percent improvement in their sprinting ability.

In soccer, the case of the greatest player in the world, Lionel Messi is often reported as a sign of the success of the hormone. Messi was affected by a growth deficiency as a child and his club, F.C. Barcelona paid for his injected treatment that was ongoing throughout his childhood. Bleacher Report has been unable to determine if and when the treatment was halted for Messi as his athletic performance has not been h8indered by his childhood medical issues.

Who can Benefit from the Legal Use of Human Growth Hormone?

The use of HGH is only legally available with a prescription from a medical professional for a diagnosed condition or illness. The use of this hormone is usually prescribed when an individual is affected by a medical condition causing them to grow too slowly or when they have been affected by a loss of muscle mass. 

In young people, a hormone deficiency, such as that affecting Lionel Messi can be treated with a series of injected hormones. For adults, several illnesses and medical conditions can be treated using the latest in natural and artificially created hormones, including:

• Chronic kidney disease

• Turner Syndrome

• Prader-Willi Syndrome

Healthline reports there are many medical conditions that can result in the use of the hormone as a treatment. Among these are many of those that result in muscle wasting or loss that can affect the mobility and energy levels of an individual. Others who have often prescribed this form of hormone treatment include those who have been affected by HIV/AIDS and are suffering with muscle loss.

 

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!

• Tweet