Graduate Program

Kinesiology and Sports Studies

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2007

Thesis Director

Brent Walker

Thesis Committee Member

Jill Owen

Thesis Committee Member

None

Abstract

This study examined the role modeling effect from professional baseball through an anonymous survey aimed at the prevalence, potential precursors, and deterrents of steroid use among 173 intercollegiate baseball players. Results indicated that 2.3% of participants admitted to using steroids, but this low incidence was not due to low access as 58.4% said they knew how to obtain steroids and 37.8% had previously been offered steroids. Just over one-third (34.1%) agreed that performance enhancement was a precursor to steroid/HGH use and a mean score of 2.53 (SD = 1.46) indicated that it was a greater precursor than improving appearance (19.7%, M = 2.02, SD = 1.25) and peer pressure (14%, M = 1.8, SD = 1.09). Potential punishment (80.9%, M = 4.38, SD = 3.24), health consequences (83.2%, M = 4.27, SD = .99), and being viewed as a cheater (83.8%, M = 4.25, SD = 1.11) were all prominent deterrents among the variables. Over 51% of participants believed that 11-50% of professional baseball players use steroids/HGH and another 29.5% believed that 51-75% of players at the professional level are users. The perception at the collegiate level was second highest in that 66.5% of subjects perceived usage to be between 11-50% and 14.1% perceived usage to be between 51-75%. Perceived usage rate of steroid/HGH was higher at the high school than the pre-high school level based on greater percentages within the 1-10% (61.3% vs. 57.2%) and the 11-50% (36.4% vs. 26%) intervals. In addition, 11% perceived pre-high school steroid/HGH usage to be non-existent. Reported usage rate of the legal supplement creatine was 53.2%. Discussion of the findings provides practitioners and coaches with essential information to combat steroid use.

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