The Steroids Game [Paperback]

Charles E. Yesalis (Author), Virginia S. Cowart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1998

A straightforward and balanced view of the problem of anabolic steroid use among athletes. The authors define the problem, suggest solutions and treatments for users, and examine drug testing and how users have managed to stay one step ahead of governing bodies.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Young players today must realize that they can only get the job done through hard work and dedication. They’re only hurting themselves if they use drugs to enhance their performance on the field."

Jim Kelly Quarterback, Buffalo Bills (1986-1996)

"Presents the reader with a clear understanding of the enormity of the problem of anabolic steroids and provides meaningful solutions to the use of these dangerous drugs. This book is must reading for all coaches, health educators, athletes, and parents of young athletes."

Linn Goldberg, MD, FACSM Division Head of Health Promotion and Sports Medicine Oregon Health Sciences University

"An authoritative and eminently readable volume."

Richard H. Strauss, MD Editor-in-chief, The Physician and Sportsmedicine Professor at The Ohio State University

About the Author

Dr. Charles Yesalis received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Health degrees from the University Michigan, and he was awarded his doctoral degree from Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health in 1975. He then joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins for one year. From 1976 to 1986, Yesalis was a member of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health at the University of Iowa. He is currently a professor of health policy and administration and exercise and sport science at The Pennsylvania State University.

Since 1980, much of Dr. Yesalis’ research has been devoted to the nonmedical use of anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. In 1988 he directed the first national study of steroid use among adolescents and was the first to present evidence of psychological dependence on the drug. In addition, he has studied the incidence of anabolic steroids use among elite power lifters, collegiate athletes, and professional football players. In a 1993 nationwide survey, Yesalis and his colleagues were the first to present an estimate of steroid use in the U.S. population and demonstate an association between anabolic steroid use and violent behavior and the use of other illicit drugs and alcohol. That same year he edited the book, Anabolic Steroids in Sport and Exercise.

On three occasions Yesalis has been asked to testify before the U.S. Congress on legislation related to the control of anabolic steroids and growth hormone abuse. He also has been a consultant to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the American Medical Association, the NFL Players Association, the U.S. Olympic Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Virginia S. Cowart is a Chicago-based medical writer who has been writing about anabolic steroids for more than a decade. Her series on drugs and sport written for the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) was one of the first detailed reports on the scientific response to increased drug use among athletes. In preparation for the series, she interviewed nearly all the leading figures in drug research, testing, and prevention efforts. She is also the coauthor of Anabolic Steroids/Altered States, which was written in 1990 with Dr. James Wright.

A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Cowart has held the position of associate editor of the medical news section of JAMA and science editor for the University of Chicago Office of Public Information. She has been a contributor to many sports medicine publications, and she wrote the original entry on steroids for Encyclopedia Britannica.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers; 1 edition (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880114940
• ISBN-13: 978-0880114943
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #622,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Moralistic Claptrap!!! Total Nonsense!!!, October 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Steroids Game (Paperback)

This book focuses on how immoral is it to use steroids since they effect the "fairness" of sporting events. There is an obvious anti-steroid bias that throws doubt on all of the authors' research and motivations.

If you want to have the simplistic "it's illegal, so it must be immoral" line regurgitated repeatedly to you, then this book is for you.

If you were looking for an objective book on the benefits (and more importantly) the dangers of steroid use, look somewhere else.

Ironically, I've concluded (partial from this book) that the worst dangers in using steroids are due to the fact that you can only get them from illegal sources. Not exactly a revelation but, oh well...

I don't recommend this book for any purpose. I gave it 1 star since there wasn't a choice for zero.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too much moral, June 25, 1999

By 

Francisco - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Steroids Game (Paperback)

I don't like this book at all. That's too much moralistic... If you wanna write about something really... write it in the neutral way...

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this book was good for the bodybuilder, March 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Steroids Game (Paperback)

this is a great book for the bodybuilder who is thinking about using steroids, and wants to know what ther are getting into