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National Strength and Conditioning
Association (NSCA) issues position on the Mitchell Report into the illegal
use of steroids and other performance enhancing substances by major league
baseball players
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) -
the worldwide authority on strength and conditioning - has issued the
following statement in response to the release of George Mitchell's report
to the Commissioner of Baseball on the illegal use of steroids and other
performance enhancing substances by major league baseball players:
"The NSCA is unequivocally against the illegal use of
steroids and other performance enhancing substances. We believe their use
is unethical and contrary to the goals of competitive sports. The NSCA
believes in and supports the premise that participation in an athletic
event should always be based on the highest moral and ethical standards and
promote, in every way, the concept of fair play. The NSCA will investigate
and take appropriate action against any NSCA member or NSCA certified
individual who engages in or facilitates the illegal use of steroids or
other performance enhancing substances." - Dr. Lee E. Brown, NSCA
President
Says Professor at the University of Connecticut and
Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Dr. Bill Kraemer, "We need to re-affirm the message to athletes and
parents that certified strength and conditioning coaches are competent
professionals who have the education and background to optimize a workout,
which is effective at diffusing the temptation to use anabolic drugs."
He adds that a top strength and conditioning coach will typically have a
masters degree in a related field, be NSCA-certified, and have the
necessary background to work with athletes.
"Players need to be educated that steroids are not the
answer," agrees Dr. Jay Hoffman, Department Chair at The College of
New Jersey and former professional athlete. "Major League Baseball now
requires that its strength and conditioning coaches be certified by the NSCA,
and that needs to be enforced. Certification helps to ensure that those
coaches on the front line have the greatest depth of knowledge on strength
and conditioning training, nutrition and the proper use of
supplementation."
Those seeking additional information should begin with the
NSCA's website: www.nsca-lift.org. NSCA Vice President
and Board Member Jose Antonio, Ph.D. explains that, "The NSCA provides
resources and training on natural and effective ways to enhance
performance. That includes a comprehensive library of information on the
subject, which the Association began compiling in the early 1990s."
The following links will take you to additional information
and educational materials on anabolic-androgenic steroid use by athletes:
Special Report: Steroids - September 2006 Issue of
Performance Training Journal
Nutrition - December 2007 Issue of Performance Training
Journal
Podcast - Dr. Hoffman discusses illegal substance abuse in
professional, collegiate, and High School sports
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