New study--Human Growth Hormone alone doesn't help

Partly funded by ***World Anti-Doping Agency***, study says HGH alone doesn't help athleticism:

• "Human growth hormone must be taken alongside testosterone if it is to have any impact on muscle mass, strength or speed, according to surprising new findings released by the Garvan Institute in Sydney.

Scientists say their study, partly funded by the World Anti-Doping Agency, helps develop new drug tests and brings the international sporting community closer to stamping out cheats.

The world-first project evaluated the effects of genetically-modified growth hormone used either alone or with testosterone, a combination Sylvester Stallone recently admitted taking for an undisclosed medical condition.

Both drugs are illegal for sports purposes but are widely abused by both recreational and professional athletes, most famously Chinese swimmers at the 1998 World Swimming Championships.

"We were surprised to find that human growth hormone has no effect on muscle mass or sports performance," said lead investigator Professor Ken Ho, who will release his results at a world endocrinology meeting in Canada.

It did boost overall body mass, due largely to fluid retention, but did not affect muscle mass or overall sports performance."

• From the Sydney Morning Herald (Aus.), 6/4/07, "Growth Hormone Doesn't Aid Athleticism," by the Australian Associated Press

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