The Challenge of Drug Testing in Football
GamesIn a perfect world, drug testing would stand as the final barrier between a league full of maxed-out juicers and a level playing field. In practice, though, the NFL’s drug program often falls short.Source :ประสบการณ์คาสิโนที่ www.UFABET
It’s not that the league doesn’t try. During the regular season, players are tested for both substances of abuse and performance-enhancing drugs, including human growth hormone, at least four times per week. They’re also subject to unannounced tests at stadiums and practice facilities on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
But the reality is that while the NFL’s tests may be “unannounced,” players often have a good idea of when they will be called in for an examination. A player is notified via text or phone and given 24 hours to report to the collection agency; failure to do so results in a warning or a fine, not a suspension. The gap is enough to slip in a micro-dose of testosterone or erythropoietin, commonly known as EPO, which boosts oxygen-carrying red blood cells and boosts endurance.
The Tackle Against Doping: Drug Testing in Football
The UFC’s doping policy goes even further, with testers accompanying athletes from notification to when they have their sample in hand. But that’s not feasible for the NFL, which has a limited budget. Testing 15,000 samples at $400 each could quickly blow it. And while the incidence of doping seems to be low, closer collaboration and more research is needed across sports disciplines. That’s why the NFL is taking some steps to expand its drug-testing capabilities in the future.