Are performance enhancing supplements like C4 ruining High School Wrestling?

[bigG]

That's why it gives ya energy. BOOM!

[marshman]

I'm not the de facto, nor any other type, of legal expert save for 17 years experience in things jail/court/statute related. I've just spent a lot of time in jail and court dealing with statutes. Expert is a big word. Way beyond my knowledge.

Not a mental health expert, either. But to say that prescribed meds can't be added to this same problem/discussion is ignorant. "Here we go again." Especially a prescribed med with heavy stimulant properties. There is also no need to have fun at the expense of those with this or that disorder. People who deal with it have enough on their plates as it is. No need to perpetuate a stereotype. Of course, the poster probably thought the stereotype was the disorder, and didn't know any better. Whatever!

No need to be angry we didn't side on the silly court case. I still feel it was superfluous, and you obviously don't. You were there, I wasn't. YOU are the expert du jure.

I have ADD and I take Adderall. It calms those who have ADD/ADHD down. It doesn't jack them up, calms them so they can focus. Kids on prescription meds have zero reason to justify what they take to anyone. So while I make light of my own issue, as well as others with attention issues, you have no idea how Adderall reacts on those that need it.

People accusing kids of taking banned supplements or attributing their meds to success likely don't see how much more work they put in. Look at some of the kids at state, many look like they never seen a weight room and have a terrible diet. How many kids do you think go straight to the weight room immediately after winning a tournament, I could name a couple who will be multiple time state champs tomorrow.

Supplements are not ruining HS wrestling. Kids who are prescribed Adderall are not ruining HS wrestling. There is just a huge separation of work being done. And when hard work is combined with talent, special things happen.

I hear ya, I took an opioid as indicated for a day post operatively for pain, no way would anyone ever abuse them Also kudos to you for finally unlocking the secret to success in life, hard + talent = success, wow, I have to look into that.

[yellowplaytpus337]

These supplements are giving kids a boost over clean wrestlers

BOGUS!! Pre-workout supplements such as C4 do nothing more than energize the user. Identical strength results can be achieved through a good work ethic and a hefty amount of dedication!!

They do a lot more than just energize the user....

You sound like a person who has never lifted a weight in their life!!! The entire purpose of C4 is to energize the lifter!!!

[asdfg]

These supplements are giving kids a boost over clean wrestlers

BOGUS!! Pre-workout supplements such as C4 do nothing more than energize the user. Identical strength results can be achieved through a good work ethic and a hefty amount of dedication!!

They do a lot more than just energize the user....

You sound like a person who has never lifted a weight in their life!!! The entire purpose of C4 is to energize the lifter!!!

https://chippewa.com/dunnconnect/news/local/mhs-athletes-suspended-for-consuming-energy-drink/article_bf21683e-cb79-11e1-bd1a-0019bb2963f4.html

[DocWrestling]

Things like this should be addressed at coaches conventions and AD conventions

[TomM]

https://chippewa.com/dunnconnect/news/local/mhs-athletes-suspended-for-consuming-energy-drink/article_bf21683e-cb79-11e1-bd1a-0019bb2963f4.html

From linked article:

10 MHS athletes suspended for consuming energy drink
By Brett Hart Jul 11, 2012

Ten Menomonie High School (MHS) multi-sport athletes discovered that a pre-workout energy drink they consumed this week will cost them the first three games of the WIAA football season.

The drink, called Cellucor C4 Extreme, contains a banned substance called Synephrine HCL, a potent adrenergic stimulator. According to bodybuilding.com, Synephrine HCL, "augments energy levels and ATP synthesis" and is structurally similar to Ephedra. It goes on to say, "The compound enhances adrenaline stimulation and promotes weight loss by amplifying fat burning, metabolism, and thermogenesis."

MHS Activities Director Bart Boettcher said while Synephrine HCL is not specifically listed as a banned substance under the school's code, it is listed by the WIAA and falls under the category of performance enhancing drugs and carries the same punishments as alcohol or tobacco consumption.

"It's the same exact punishment," said Boettcher, who noted that due to an honor clause (for turning themselves in) the punishment was reduced from a 50 percent ban to three games.

"I had a tip from the WIAA to investigate," said Boettcher. "I went right down to the weight room and met with (Head Football) Coach (Joe) LaBuda, and we asked, and they said 'Yeah' and even showed us. Our kids didn't think there was anything wrong with it. ... They said they were told that this was the best stuff by a GNC employee."

LaBuda said after the athletes used the product, they bragged about it on Twitter and someone reported it to the WIAA. He added that not only is Synephrine banned by the WIAA, but also by the NCAA.

"They were unaware that this substance was on the WIAA banned substance list, but the product states on the label not to be consumed by anyone under the age of 18," said LaBuda. "None of these students were 18."

"I feel for them," Boettcher said, but added, "When it happens, we're going to enforce the code. There's no hiding or getting around it."

All 10 players are junior and seniors on the football team. Since football will be the first athletic season after receiving the suspension, they will not permitted to play against Merrill, Chippewa Falls or Eau Claire Memorial.

While the situation is an unfortunate one for all involved, Boettcher said, "The health and safety of the athletes is the most important thing in the world. ... Ignorance is not an excuse."

WIAA's response

Wade Labecki, deputy director of the WIAA, said, "Many of the products available in your local store have a variety of ingredients and some of the ingredients are stimulants. Supplement ingredient lists can be very difficult to decipher as problematic ingredients can have multiple name variations. There are common names (synonyms) that are listed in dietary supplements for the same stimulant.  It's very possible that athletes are not aware of what's actually in the product they're taking and athletes should be careful with any product."

Labecki added the ban on performance enhancers is not just due to "competitive advantages", but for the "overall health of young, developing, adolescent children. ... The ingredient in the product can cause kidney damage. A concern with this product is the withdrawal affect once a user has stopped taking the product."

The withdrawal symptoms of DMAA (Synephrine) include mood changes, depression and anger.

"Our concern is neither the athletes, their parents, or school personnel would be aware of the symptoms to watch for," said Labecki.

He added that risks associated with the drug include vasoconstriction (blood vessel narrowing), elevated heart rate, increased risk of stroke, high blood pressure, aneurysm, lethal exhaustion, and even impotence. Those risks escalate if the drug is combined with other stimulants like caffeine, and then again increase when the body is under extreme load associated with exercise or competitive sport – and again if exposed to heat or dehydration.

On the plus side

LaBuda said the big positive that came out of the incident is that they were able to cut off the usage right away and "the students did not have any prolonged use of this product."

"When we were first made aware of this and the students were questioned, they all stepped forward and were accountable for their actions," said LaBuda. "It's a lot harder to be a kid today than when we grew up. ... (It's) also (a) tough era to be a parent. ... Students need to be careful where they get their source of information of what is safe and what is not, and also how they use the internet."

Menomonie District Administrator Chris Stratton commended both Boettcher and LaBuda for how they handled the investigation.

[catzfan]

Who got the #1 seed? How did they do?

[joeski]

I would give anabolic steroids the 1 seed. They do pretty well.

[yellowplaytpus337]

These supplements are giving kids a boost over clean wrestlers

BOGUS!! Pre-workout supplements such as C4 do nothing more than energize the user. Identical strength results can be achieved through a good work ethic and a hefty amount of dedication!!

They do a lot more than just energize the user....

You sound like a person who has never lifted a weight in their life!!! The entire purpose of C4 is to energize the lifter!!!

https://chippewa.com/dunnconnect/news/local/mhs-athletes-suspended-for-consuming-energy-drink/article_bf21683e-cb79-11e1-bd1a-0019bb2963f4.html

You can find anything on the internet... I could easily find an article discussing the benefits of supplements such as C4.