Sources show widespread doping in extreme sports, particularly amongst Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes. Unlike other sports, Mixed Martial Arts is not regulated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Doping in extreme sports is a highly debatable topic that is rarely addressed. Condition Nutrition would like to announce that we will be posting a survey on April 20, 2009, so individuals can weigh in and post their opinion on doping in Extreme Sports. Numerous Condition Nutrition customers are active Extreme Sports athletes and doping along with pro-hormone use are two of the most common comments.
According to NutraLegacy.com, 91.7% of their MMA respondents admitted to doping and using other performance enhancing drugs. 79.3% of these MMA athletes specifically have used steroids to increase muscle mass and size. These respondents represented approximately 66% of the surveyed population which in total numbered 312 individuals. Other extreme sports athletes included skateboarders, BMX athletes and even extreme skiing. These other athletes were less likely to use steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. Skateboarders represented 16% of the respondents and 18.4% of skateboarders admitted to performance drug us.
Professional athletes taking performance enhancing drugs, or “doping,” is a story that has become almost cliche in our society. From baseball players to cyclists it seems that almost every sport has athletes that ultimately get exposed for doping. While these cases are far from rare, most sports abide by the international code set forth by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This code dictates clear regulations regarding the use of any performance enhancing drug in worldwide professional sports. Condition Nutrition has consulted several extreme athletes and we were surprised to learn how pervasive performance enhancing drugs are in extreme sports. According to numerous sources, such as the one cited above, extreme sports, such as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), not only defy the WADA code, but operate independently from it. When 91.7% of surveyed MMA athletes admit to use of performance enhancing drugs one has to wonder how this level of use is tolerated.
Doping in Extreme sports is a controversial issue that is rarely discussed or debated in relation to other worldwide sports. Outside of health and safety, equality and fairness are the issues that seem to get the most attention. While there are some extreme athletes who avoid performance drugs, it becomes increasingly more difficult when your competition has a competitive advantage. One active MMA athlete explained that “in order to compete and win, doping is becomes a must.” “They should either make it legal in extreme sports or seriously regulate it.” NutraLegacy.com states that of the 312 respondents 162 people added comments suggesting that performance enhancing drugs should be legalized. It is this sentiment that leads many to argue that it should be legalized in particular sports, especially if they are not enforced by WADA as it is.
If enforcing the WADA code becomes more of a problem than a solution, is it even worth enforcing? Some argue that an individual who is willing to participate in extreme sports is inherently risking their health and safety. This is a decision made by an athlete before they decide whether they are willing to compete professionally in any extreme sport. On the other hand, just because these sports can be dangerous doesnt necessarily justify the need for performance enhancing drugs. Instead, many athletes opt to use various sports nutrition products that provide real benefits without the risk involved in drugs. Health supplements can help athletes achieve their goals whether it is increased muscle mass, energy or general health. Mr. Sochet believes that “the popularity of Extreme Sports today makes this survey and debate even more popular.” This survey is part of Condition Nutrition’s overall strategy to increase their media presence and “become a major source of information for the fitness community.”
Check out Condition Nutrition and make your voice heard. The information gathered from the informal survey accessible on April 20 and the results will be released in a future publication.
See, I hate hearing stuff like this. I am a MMA and I don’t dope up to get better performance. As far as I know most of my fellow MMAs at the dojo are clean as well. We’ve won all our championships through hard work and sweat and it really burns me to hear stuff like this cause it makes all of us look bad.
I understand where Daniel is coming from and it does make the whole sport look bad, but let’s face it: there are a lot of athletes out there that have been been these drugs for years and just haven’t been caught yet. They need to be caught because they are setting a very dangerous example to the kids of this world.
Oh come on. What are these guys hurting other than themselves? They are able to take performance enhancing drugs and provide their fans with some great entertainment. They’d have to be psycho or on drugs to compete in half of these sports.
-They are able to take performance enhancing drugs and provide their fans with some great entertainment.-
George … you need to get a grip on your attitude and throw it as far as you can. As a fan I don’t need to see a drug-induced performance. Great entertainment – I don’t think so. We do not need or want to endorse any juiced activity as OK that young adults watch.
It’s really a disappointment to know something like this specially if your a fan of a certain athlete knowing him being great is just lie
really, you’ve got to consider what WADA says is doping…most of the local guys in your local gym have “doped” or may be “doping” with out knowing it. in 2004 a study showed that 24 of the most popular supplements contain trace doses of “banned” substances such as Nandrolone AKA Deca-Durabolin…if you don’t even know what that is, then surely you won’t be able to intelligently comment on it’s legit uses…it amazes me how many people have such strong opinions about this topic but haven’t actually studied it…I guess if Tom Brokaw and Bill O’Reilly say it, then it must be so.
The point is believe what you will, but please know why…my opinion is that some of the stuff on the banned list should be accessable to these athletes, I mean let’s face it there’s a reason why aids patients are being given AAS,they are healing agents…just look at Magic Johnson.
I was a competitive martial artist for 12 years and a bodybuilder and before you start name calling, I NEVER took any banned substances, but I still have an opinion about it.
I don’t judge. A person chooses their own fate. It’s their business if they want to dope. If they don’t weigh the risks before they do it, that’s their tough luck. I don’t think I would do it, but I’m not in that position, so I can’t say for sure.
If you want to compete at a world class level it is a must. there is always an exeption but at a world class level it is rare. regualting only push these athletes to try different approachs that can be more dangerous and if these men and women want to chose this path in life who are we to tell them they can’t and take away there dreams.
Sorry … I just saw a site poll that surveyed people regarding x-treme doping – most (74%)say its OK. I am in a definite minority and must say I am dumbfound to be on the wrong end of this conversation.