Longitudinal testing for steroids

by Luis on May 23, 2008 4:05 PM CDT Comment 9 comments

Very interesting article at ESPN.com on what the future for steroid testing might be like: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?id=3408399

In short, rather than focusing on detecting the steroids per se, the longitudinal testing means establishing a baseline for a person's blood levels / metabolism and then determining steroid use from fluctuations of those baseline levels.

Also important of note is the number of players that have been blood tested numerous times by the World anti doping agency (WADA) and have had their tests come back clean and then later admitted to taking steroids. If that is with blood testing you can pretty much conclude that what is being done in baseball and the other profesional sports is basically a PR move and nothing more.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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will it ever stop?

make it go away dear lord please make it go awayyyyy!!

It might beeeeee!! It could beeeeeee!! It issssss!! Homerun!! Holyyyyyyy Cow!!!

by cubsluver22 on May 23, 2008 5:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

...

I don’t care. I really don’t. Hell, make steroids legal. All it does it raise the level all around, because they’ll all do it. Or they won’t. I don’t care.

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on May 23, 2008 9:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it okay with you if the rest of us care?

Not only has this era polluted the record books forever but sanctioning steroids in any way also inspires kids to try them with potentially deadly consequences.

by bluekoolaide on May 23, 2008 9:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on May 24, 2008 4:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

this is the same failed argument

as the more general “war on drugs”. People are going to try to take them no matter what. Instead of banning them, regulate them and control them.

And of course you can care.

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on May 24, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LSA

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on May 24, 2008 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+ 2

Steroids and performance enhancing drugs make a mockery of the game. Sam-ME “Corky” Steroid hitting 600 dingers, Barry Bonds’ head size growing each year along with his ridiculous HR totals, Roger Clemens’ roid rage all those years, Juan Gonzalez, Mark McGwire, Rafael “I did not take steroids” Palmiero, etc….

It’s disgusting.

"It is never too early to start beefing up your obituary."

by MDBNIU on May 24, 2008 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

More complicated issue than it appears.

I’m in a rush so I’ll just leave a link to an extremely exhaustive and well sourced site that discusses Steroids in baseball. I don’t have time to summarize my thoughts now, but if this thread has life later- I’ll jump back in.

"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher

by The Lip on May 24, 2008 8:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs