Saturday 3 November 2012

The Ethics of Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Mixed Martial Arts




It is natural that a human body slows down in its mid-thirties. It is also as natural that some elite athletes will not be excited to accept the fact that they will not be able to practice and perform at the same pace and level as before. That is where the question whether something about it could be done arises. When natural methods seem to be inefficient, and steroids are unhealthy, risky, unethical and flatline stupid, an athlete may realise that retirement may be the best solution to his/her issue. However, it can be a hard decision to make to some athletes, especially in a sport like Mixed Martial Arts where fighter’s financial security is more of an exception than a rule.

Fortunately to some, a magical way to slow down the aging process has been found. Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) has proven to be a go to move for the fighters who have either made a decision to prolong their careers, have normal lives or even stay alive. Fighters such as Chael Sonnen, Frank Mir, Dan Henderson and Forrest Griffin have gotten exemptions that allow them to use testosterone therapy and have formed an infamous TRT club of mixed martial arts.