Oslo's Revolutionary Steroid Findings Are Still a Tale of Mice, Not Men

Recent scientific research out of the University of Oslo, which claims that anabolic steroid use by athletes could enhance performance for decades after its discontinuance, has the potential to cripple—if not incapacitate—the doping plague presently infecting all of sport.

But until scientists can transfer their evidence from lab mice to actual human physiology, the cheating, suspensions and suspicion will go on.

That is because WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, has stopped short of accepting the current scientific findings as being relevant to humans.

Holding off for now was the right decision on WADA's part but steroid doping cheats have been put on notice that the end game to their chemical shortcuts may be near.

Think of it: If it can be proven that humans gain a significant benefit from anabolic steroid use years—even decades—after its direct usage, there can be only one course of punishment if caught, which is mandatory lifetime bans. It also follows that there will be zero tolerance, and those reduced penalties in exchange for cooperation with enforcement agencies, as in the Tyson Gay case, will be meaningless.

Here is a general description of the science behind the research as described by Kristian Gundersen, Professor of Physiology at the University of Oslo (via BBC Sport):

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The fundamental biology of muscle growth is similar in humans and in mice, and in principle any drug that builds muscle mass could trigger this mechanism. I was excited by the clarity of the findings. It's very rare, at least in my experience, that the data are so clear cut; there is usually some disturbing factor. But in this case it was extremely clear. If you exercise, or take anabolic steroids, you get more nuclei and you get bigger muscles. If you take away the steroids, you lose the muscle mass, but the nuclei remain inside the muscle fibres. They are like temporarily closed factories, ready to start producing protein again when you start exercising again [without steroids].

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If there is a living, breathing athlete who has, unfairly or not, become exhibit A in demonstrating the key elements of this study, it would be the formerly-banned American sprinter Justin Gatlin, who has just completed a remarkable comeback season in which he was undefeated in 19 races at the age of 32.

Gatlin skeptics point to the results of this research as probable cause in his extraordinary performances in 2014. Among a slew of highlights, Gatlin set personal best times in both the 100-meter (9.77 seconds) and 200-meter dash (19.68) at an age when most sprinters consider retirement. This, despite losing four prime years (2006-2010) through doping suspension and having passed every random drug test so far this year.

For his part, Gatlin has maintained his denial of ever having intentionally ingested any banned substance, suggesting that he was sabotaged by an unscrupulous coach or physical therapist. Indeed, Gatlin has been unapologetic, displaying the body language and demeanor of a man free of guilt.

However, if Gundersen's research team in Oslo can make the connection in their findings from mice to humans, everything changes. Intent will no longer be an issue. Whether an athlete's muscles have ever been artificially enhanced...or not, will be the only issue, regardless of the circumstances.

Any current athlete with a steroid-tainted past will be removed from sanctioned competition forever.

Beyond wiping out records, titles and seasons, entire careers will be nullified.

Weak-principled athletes will be forced to think a little longer before starting down the easy road.

And a huge blight on the face of sport—especially track and field—will have been lessened...if the various governing bodies and WADA can accept those findings as proof.

Are we ready for this?

If not, we will be left to attend to business as usual—and to a laboratory full of world-class mice.

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