Performance enhancers popular for fitness

Friday 19 June 2009

Some 8% of fitness fanatics in the Netherlands use some form of banned performance enhancing drugs to lose weight or develop their muscles, according to a report by the TNO research group for the Dutch anti-doping authority.

But just 1% of the total take anabolic steroids, growth hormones or insulin to boost muscle growth.

Some two million people in the Netherlands are regularly involved in keeping fit, and 90% of them feel healthy or very healthy, the report shows. Some six out of 10 take food supplements.

Sports minister Jet Bussemaker said she was concerned about the use of 'heavy' drugs among fitness fans. The doping authority is launching a campaign to make gym users and fitness instructors more aware of the risks.

© DutchNews.nl

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