subject: HGH Testing in the National Football League [print this page] HGH Testing in the National Football League
Copyright (c) 2011 Jim TerroirierThe NFL is one of the major sporting leagues with widening concern about HGH use of athletes. With recent updates claiming that there is already a blood screening process that is able to detect the elevated levels of synthetic HGH, NFL is one with the sporting world burning to put the testing method into work.After years and years of research, the scientific world has finally offered a more sophisticated method that supposedly has the ability to detect HGH, one of the performance-enhancing substances banned in the sporting leagues since 2004.The results of such studies, however, are not yet declared sufficient. Athletes, especially the members of the player's union are against the blood testing process. They believe that a recent update on the issue, with one player testing positive for HGH, is not enough to declare the testing method as valid and accurate. They are protesting the use of such a method, claiming they will only adhere to it once the anti-doping officials are able to prove its absolute validity.Also, it must be remembered that members of the player's union have already expressed negative feelings toward blood screening, which they think is highly invasive. They prefer urine sampling, which is previously agreed upon. Anti-doping officials are seeking to update the agreement regarding drug testing policies to be able to incorporate HGH testing.The ControversyHGH has been in the middle of the controversy, especially in the sporting world for some years now. Its effects are being questioned as well as the possible risks of complications that are associated with its use. Some athletes, however, maintain that they find HGH supplementation completely safe, especially when it is a legal ingredient of many different kinds of supplements.Also, it is not uncommon for athletes to find HGH supplementation as convenient because until recently, there have been no testing methods that are found to detect it accurately.HGH is a naturally occurring substance in the body. Its use as a supplement is approved for adults who have known growth hormone deficiencies. HGH is available in many forms in the market. It is a legal substance that is often prescribed to address specific health concerns.Since HGH is naturally occurring in the body, it became a challenge for scientists to devise a testing method that would be able to measure the amount of elevated levels of synthetic HGH, which will imply its use or abuse.Recently, the issue on HGH in the sporting leagues came into full swing as Terry Newton, a British rugby player, admitted to using HGH and actually testing positive for it. The testing method used for Newton is sought by league officials as an effective way of detecting HGH and keeping its use among athletes in use. Anti-doping officials are seeking to implement HGH testing in the leagues including the NFL but the members of the player's union are protesting against it. They claim that it will require the officials to provide proofs regarding the testing procedure's accuracy and validity before it actually gains their approval. Industry watchers believe that it will be a matter of time before everyone agrees on a single HGH testing policy.
