The steroids you take for asthma are not the kind of steroid that helps with athletic performance. And inhaled steroids (which affect the lungs with very little systemic effect) rather than oral steroids are typically prescribed for asthma.
And if you talk to those who need the inhalers, they will tell you it is not a pleasant experience. I doubt many, or any, you see puffing before a track event are doing it for anything other than medical reasons.
Yes. My son had asthma in high school, mainly seasonal. And used an inhaler with albuterol at times. Not only did it not improve his performance, he absolutely HATED how it made him feel. It does crazy things to your heart rate. I don't think many of those runners using an inhaler are doing it so they can run faster. As the last person to reply said, it is not pleasant.
HS football, basketball and baseball players have used, do you think any runners have used? Use to get into a better school such as Ivy, etc. seems some kids run exceptional times and than fade back to mediocrity once in college
I know that some kids can take huge time off pr's from one race to the next and that transition to college can change ones priorities
Thoughts?
This thread from 2014 just showing up now is hilarious
The answer to the question posed by the thread is obvious. Do high school athletes have access to drugs? If they do, some will undoubtedly dope. Like their role models - the pros.