Friday, June 15, 2007
Testosterone study
Soccer's governing body is conducting a worldwide study to determine if players from various ethnic populations have different naturally occurring testosterone levels.
The study – "Testosterone Metabolism in Different Ethnic Populations" – is being conducted by FIFA's medical assessment and research centre and the IOC-accredited, anti-doping laboratory in Lausanne, Switzerland.
"It's a very sensitive matter," FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren told The Associated Press in a phone interview on Wednesday.
"FIFA is doing research on all levels to have a more comprehensive overview on the situation.
Currently, testers measure athletes' samples against predetermined average levels for substances naturally occurring in the body – such as EPO and testosterone.
But this potentially allows athletes with naturally low levels to cheat without being detected. It can also lead to sanctions for those who don't cheat but have naturally high levels.
The study – "Testosterone Metabolism in Different Ethnic Populations" – is being conducted by FIFA's medical assessment and research centre and the IOC-accredited, anti-doping laboratory in Lausanne, Switzerland.
"It's a very sensitive matter," FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren told The Associated Press in a phone interview on Wednesday.
"FIFA is doing research on all levels to have a more comprehensive overview on the situation.
Currently, testers measure athletes' samples against predetermined average levels for substances naturally occurring in the body – such as EPO and testosterone.
But this potentially allows athletes with naturally low levels to cheat without being detected. It can also lead to sanctions for those who don't cheat but have naturally high levels.
