if the drug is meant to preserve the athlete’s health and well-being, and there is compelling scientific evidence that its benefits outweigh its risks for that population, then again the athlete should be permitted to use a medically sound dose. But, if there are no clear clinical indications or compelling scientific evidence, then athletes competing in masters’ level competitions should not use the drug. In this last instance, the risk is that flimsy science could be used to back drug use whose primary purpose and effect is sports performance enhancement.*
What is a medical sound dose?
What defines clinical indication? Would an age-associate decline fall under this?
Who decides at what point scientific evidence is indeed a valid fact?
Every scientist knows that there is no undisputed science when it comes to complex organsims and systems.
Aging athletes have the same right to a level playing field as young athletes. A sensible policy towards dual-use drugs—drugs that have both legitimate medical uses but can also enhance performance—can help to keep that field as level as our years allow.
**
I couldn’t disagree more.
Yeah…but aging is scary. Just a marketing scam is all it is. I would say the field is more than fair for masters competition. Many times they have less competition in their groups.
I know I’ve kept this a secret from most of you, but I’ve been suffering from aging since birth. It runs in the family: my parents both have the congenital form and it’s progress is inevitable. I have consulted numerous doctors, physicians and others but all seem to agree that there is nothing that can help me. I have just chosen to enjoy the parts of my life that I can in the years I have left, and accept the fate. Although I do still hanker after a cure, I am still racing …
Yeah…but aging is scary. Just a marketing scam is all it is. I would say the field is more than fair for masters competition. Many times they have less competition in their groups.
that is so wrong.
because there are less competitors in the 50-54 age group than the 30-34 age group has no relationship to the number using PEDs.
becasue the times between the 50-54 age group and the 30-34 age group are a few minutes slower does not mean it is less competitive.
the older age groups are probably more likely to have a greater number using PEDs.
they get more benefit, since the body is in decline a theraputic dose of PEDs will be more beneficial to them than a healthy youngster
a doctor is more willing to give these drugs to an older guy hence the surge in age-prevention clinics. there is no little man in the back of your head saying ‘what you are doing is wrong’ to hold back a doc from writing a script. he’s just helping the guy feel young! he’s only replacing what the body is not producing any more.
older racers are more likely to have the money to afford 10k a year for these drugs.
the list goes on.
but the field in not fair in the master ranks for sure.