Obstacles to Testing GH testing in sports faces several obstacles. Legally, the test must stand up in court. GH testing also raises the issue of blood testing, which is currently only performed in sports such as cycling in which erythropoietin use is known to occur. Kraemer and Yesalis say that blood tests are also much more expensive than current urine tests and that some cultures and religions prohibit the taking of blood. Blood tests are viewed as much more coercive, Yesalis says.
Urine tests are an invasion of privacy, but blood tests are an invasion of the body.
The AAP cited studies showing that many youth hockey injuries are caused by checking and that disparities in size and strength, which appear to be most pronounced among players ages 14 to 15, contribute to checking-related injuries. Good sportsmanship programs, such as the fair-play concept, be adopted for all levels of youth hockey. Youth hockey programs educate players, coaches, and parents about the importance of playing by the rules and the dangers of body checking another player from behind. He says that he hopes the AAP statement prompts hockey coaches, officials, and supporters to take a critical look at the injury data cited in the AAP report. But my optimism is slim.