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

2. 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

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

4. 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?

5. 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

6. Examples of PEDs Human Growth Hormone Anabolic Steroids Stimulants
Diuretics

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

8. 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

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

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

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

12. Clip from “Bigger, Faster, Stronger”

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

14. 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

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

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