Athletes and Anabolic Steroids
I. Watch the following video on epigenetics. https://youtu.be/kp1bZEUgqVI
In what ways is your health impacted by genetics?
In what ways is your health impacted by environment?
How does epigenetics change how we pass information from generation to generation?
Does this information make you think differently about passing information to your children?
II. Read the following article regarding anabolic steroid below use by athletes. Then work with a partner/small group to build a five-minute presentation that answers the following questions. Presentations can be video-based, PowerPoint, skit—it’s up to you.
If working alone, create your presentation so that it can be shared with other students online.
- Which major glands are influenced by performance enhancing drugs?
- Why are steroids not allowed in professional sports? Should they be? Use at least two pieces of evidence to back your opinion.
- What advice would you give an athlete who was considering using PEDs?
Athletes and Anabolic Steroids
Although it is against most laws to do so, many professional athletes and body builders use anabolic steroid drugs to improve their athletic performance and physique. Anabolic steroid drugs mimic the effects of the body’s own steroid hormones, like testosterone and its derivatives. These drugs have the potential to provide a competitive edge by increasing muscle mass, strength, and endurance, although not all users may experience these results. Moreover, use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) does not come without risks. Anabolic steroid use has been linked with a wide variety of potentially negative outcomes, ranging in severity from largely cosmetic (acne) to life threatening (heart attack). Furthermore, use of these substances can result in profound changes in mood and can increase aggressive behavior (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2001). Baseball player Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod) has been at the center of a media storm regarding his use of illegal PEDs. Rodriguez’s performance on the field was unparalleled while using the drugs; his success played a large role in negotiating a contract that made him the highest paid player in professional baseball. Although Rodriguez maintains that he has not used PEDs for the several years, he received a substantial suspension in 2013 that, if upheld, will cost him more than 20 million dollars in earnings (Gaines, 2013).
III. Search “perceptual illusions” and “optical illusions.” Choose two illusions from each category. Using the text as a guide, describe the error that causes each image to be an illusion.
IV. The Gestalt principles of organization explain how we make sense of the world.
For this activity you will need to apply the principles to the real world.
Using your phone’s camera, the internet or magazines, find (or stage) an example for each of the five principles:
- Figure ground
- Closure
- Similarity
- Proximity
- Continuity
Compile your pictures of each example and provide a brief statement of how it is an example of the principle.
V. Synesthesia is a rare condition where a person’s senses are linked. Watch the following video and post your answer in the discussion board. https://youtu.be/s32v0rTkey4
Do you know anybody with this condition?
How might this condition interfere with a person’s life?
If you could ask a person with Synthesis a question about their condition, what would you ask?
VI. This activity can be done either individually or with small groups.
If working in a group, assign a parenting style to each group: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, or uninvolved.
If working alone, select one of the parenting styles above.
Discuss and record how a parent with that style would react to the situations listed:
Parenting style: ___________
For each of the following, describe how the assigned parenting style would react to that situation.
Your 7 year old takes a five dollar bill from mom’s purse.
Your 13 year old is discovered smoking cigarettes.
Your 15 year old thinks she should have a later curfew on weekends.
Your 16 year old daughter is dating a 20-year-old boy.
Your 17 year old son is caught having sex with his girlfriend in his bedroom.
Your 6 year old is in trouble at school for beating up another child.
Your 16 year old took your car out without permission.
Your 4 year old colors all over the wall.