Steeplechaser Simon Vroemen Claims Dianabol Would Hurt Performance

Steeplechase Simon Vroemen has tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid Dianabol (metandienone or methandrostenolone) according to Steroid Nation. Vroemen does not know how Dianabol entered his system but suspects it may have been the result of medications he took to treat mononucleosis.

I am always willing to give athletes the benefit of a doubt especially given the lack of fair and reliable doping protocols administered under WADA. But, the statements Vroemen offers in his defense are weak, misleading and wrong.

Simon Vroemen claims that Dianabol would be “counterproductive” for a middle distance runner because it primarily increases muscle mass without a significant increase in strength; furthermore, Vroeman claims Dianabol remains detectable in doping tests for up to nine months after ingested making it unsuitable for any athlete competing in a drug tested competition (“A small trace with large consequences?,” July 11).

The compound, named metandienone, increases muscle weight and volume (not so much strenth) and is therefore popular in the body building scene. As a steeple chase runner, one would probably only be disadvantaged by its consequences. It appears to be traceable up to 9 months in your urine and is hence unlikely to be used consciously by sportsmen as a performance-enhancing substance.

These statements are innacurate. Dianabol can lead to significant increases in strength; anabolic steroids are particularly beneficial for endurance athletes (as seen in the number of positive steroid tests for middle distance runners and cyclists) since heavy endurance training tends to significantly suppress endogenous testosterone production. Anabolic steroids do not automatically transform an athlete’s physique into that of a bodybuilder; body size while on steroids is more heavily dependent on variables such as caloric intake versus expenditure and training specificity.

Vroemen also claims that Dianabol is detectable for up to nine months after ingestion. This is false. The metabolites are practically undetectable after 1-2 weeks.

About the author

Millard

MESO-Rx | Website

Millard writes about anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs and their use and impact in sport and society. He discusses the medical and non-medical uses of anabolic-androgenic steroids while advocating a harm reduction approach to steroid education.