Deviant Overconformity and Performance Enhancing Drugs Sociology of Sport February 24th Eric Boomershine

Brief Review from Wednesday Social Deviance Deviant overconformity Any behavior that breaks the rules or norms of a group, organization, or community Conformity that is so extensive, intense or extreme that it goes beyond the conventional boundaries of behavior

Examples of Overconformity in Sports Anorexia Steroids Overtraining Disregard for daily tasks

How many of you have….. Taken a protein powder or drank a protein shake? Used Creatine? Used a preworkout stimulant? Used a diuretic? Used caffeine as a stimulant?

What are PEDs? Substances that are used to improve any form of activity performance in humans Some are banned in sports but legal for general society Quicker recovery Increases hormone production

Examples of PEDs Human Growth Hormone Anabolic Steroids Stimulants Diuretics

Examples of Famous Athletes who use PEDs Barry Bonds Lance Armstrong Hulk Hogan Hope Solo Becca Swanson

Personal Desires to use PEDs Be the best at all costs Gain an edge on the competition Everyone is doing it Do it or fall behind Desire be bigger, faster, stronger

Societal Desires to use PEDs Want athletes perform absolute best See athletes put their bodies on the line “Win at all costs”

Why are individuals against PEDs? Unfair advantage Costly Negative side effects

Why is society against PEDs? Mythology that hard work accomplishes greatness Fear of contributing to deviancy

Clip from “Bigger, Faster, Stronger”

Major Takeaways from Documentary Contradictory information around steroids Disconnect between scientific community and public knowledge Media hysteria Public misinformation

Double Standards of Steroid Use in Medical Community Medical use Recovery from illness Helpful for physical therapy Legal if prescribed Athletes’ use of steroids Recovery from practice Increase performance Illegal

PEDs in Powerlifting Tested vs Untested Many disregard guidelines Drug cycling to beat testing Push the limits of the human body

In Conclusion… Deviant overconformity is normalized in professional sports Social construction of PEDs Positives Negatives Contrasting views on legality of PEDs