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HGH Builds Muscles, Not Strength: Study

Docs see athletes using bigger doses, drug cocktails

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 18, 2008 10:15 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Human growth hormone certainly builds muscles, but it may not make athletes faster or stronger. "What we found suggested that it didn't help—and at some point, it might hurt," said the lead investigator on the Stanford research study. So why, the San Jose Mercury News wonders, do sports stars risk their careers by turning to HGH?

All of the studies under scrutiny looked at low doses of the hormone, and the higher doses taken by athletes may have very different effects. Doping players are also likely to include HGH in a wider regimen of performance enhancers such as steroids and insulin. The scientists admit that they still can't answer the question, "How do you hit a baseball further?"

This graphic shows types of HGH steroid and their pros and cons, as well as the number of days two types of tests can detect HGH.
This graphic shows types of HGH steroid and their pros and cons, as well as the number of days two types of tests can detect HGH.   (Associated Press)
New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte admitted to using HGH to speed his recovery from injury. Small doses don't appear to increase strength, but the amounts taken by athletes may have different effects.
New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte admitted to using HGH to speed his recovery from injury. Small doses don't appear to increase strength, but the amounts taken by athletes may have different effects.   (Getty Images)
A Stanford study shows that HGH can increase the size of biceps, but not necessarily boost their lifting power.
A Stanford study shows that HGH can increase the size of biceps, but not necessarily boost their lifting power.   (Flickr)
Sylvester Stallone says he used human growth hormone to get buff for the new Rambo movie. HGH (human growth hormone) is nothing, the 61-year-old actor tells Time magazine.
Sylvester Stallone says he used human growth hormone to get buff for the new "Rambo" movie. "HGH (human growth hormone) is nothing," the 61-year-old actor tells Time magazine.   (Associated Press)
Former New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens continues to deny allegations that he used HGH and steriods to boost his performance after he was named in baseball's Mitchell Report.
Former New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens continues to deny allegations that he used HGH and steriods to boost his performance after he was named in baseball's Mitchell Report.   (Associated Press)
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Stanford University • athlete • human growth hormone • muscle mass • muscle strength

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