CrossFit what is? many people believe that anabolic steroids are used by all athletes and even crossfitters. Find out how true this statement is. Today, it is increasingly common for people to hear the opinion that steroids are being used more and more effectively in CrossFit. Of course, these statements cannot be confirmed or refuted with full certainty. However, the situation has long been on the rise when this issue needs to be addressed in detail. There may be crossfitters that use anabolic steroids, but these are isolated cases. This article aims to explain the fact that steroids are not recommended in CrossFit.
What is CrossFit Drug Abuse?
To begin with, all medicines can be divided into two categories: hormonal and dietary supplements. We will consider hormonal drugs as most people under the term “medication” mean primarily steroids.
Steroids are drugs based on synthetic derivatives of the male hormone – testosterone. It is testosterone that is responsible for muscle growth, increasing the physical parameters of athletes. Of course, all of this can only be achieved with high testosterone levels. Today, steroids continue to be the most effective way to increase athletic performance. At the same time, other drugs are used more and more effectively, but they are a little lower.
Testosterone in its normal form is not suitable for use in gaining mass or gaining strength. This is due to a short half-life. In order for testosterone to work for a certain amount of time, sufficient to create a powerful anabolic background, it is necessary to modify its molecule.
One of the easiest ways is to esterify the hormone. Simply put, an ester chain is added to the testosterone molecule. After administration, ether is gradually separated from the hormone and testosterone molecules enter the bloodstream. Note that ethers have different half-lives ranging from a few days to a few weeks.
The testosterone molecule can also be modified in other ways, which made it possible to learn a lesson about various anabolic drugs. In addition to steroids, athletes also use insulin, growth hormone, peptides, erythropoietin, beta-blockers, beta-adrenergic agonists, and so on. Of course, there is a possibility that the athlete can use any medication.
The effects of steroids on CrossFit strength training
Under the influence of prolonged physical exertion, the body adapts which leads to muscle growth. Note that muscle growth is rather complex and even scientists have not yet revealed all its secrets. However, we can say with certainty that anabolic hormones play an important role in this process, to which testosterone belongs. Due to the high content of these substances in the blood, specific processes are activated in tissue cells, in particular the formation of contractile protein compounds.
Hormones are actively produced by the body during and after the training itself. It is with their help that the strength and type of stress that the body receives during training are determined. In addition, the muscle tissue suffers micro-damage which is then destroyed due to the high anabolic background caused by an increase in the concentration of the corresponding hormones.
However, resistance training can lead to a significant increase in the anabolic background, which is greater than the anabolic. In this case, the muscle tissue will begin to break down. This fact is the main reason for the importance of the body’s hormonal response, not only during the session itself but also after it ends. In addition, muscle growth occurs only at rest.
Muscle tissue is composed of two types of fibers. There are special methods to train them. Some fibers are designed to do short-term vigorous work, while others are hard and long-lasting, but generate less power.
CrossFit differs from other strengths in a wide range. Crossfitters are forced to use a lot of muscle during the show. Certainly, you have a question – what does the muscle growth mechanism described above have to do with steroids? The most direct. Anabolic background can only be raised by secreting your own anabolic hormone, which is achieved through certain training programs.
Most of the accusations against CrossFitters come from people who do not believe that anyone else is capable of looking different from them. But this is not a reason to make such statements. And all the representatives of this great sport wanted to say that one should not be offended by such statements but continue to practice and perform.