It is perfectly reasonable for the NCAA, who mainly deals with athletes, to only test athletes for drug use. The use of any kind of illegal drug can change the dynamics of a game and destroy the level playing field. The NCAA s goal is for all performance to be at the highest possible level that an individual can attain without the assistance of performance enhancing drugs. The use of any of the drugs that the NCAA has deemed illegal makes the goal of a level playing field impossible to obtain. Whether the drug is used simply to enhance performance, kill pain, slow the heart rate, or stimulate the brain, the end result is an unfair advantage.
Anabolic steroids are perhaps the most well known performance-enhancing drug.
Steroids stimulate muscle growth and slow down protein breakdown, so athletes can train harder and recover quicker, according to Gary Spink, author of Sports Drugs Not a Level Playing Field. Spink also said that beta blockers slow the heart rate, reduce tremors and improve aim in sports like archery and shooting. Stimulants, according to Spink, speed up parts of the brain, making an athlete feel more alert and less fatigued. Diuretics must also be tested for because they can stimulate the kidneys, resulting in the production of more urine and the body to dehydrate. Boxers, wrestlers, and jockeys who may need to lose weight fast may use these drugs.