Final answer:
Steroids and other banned substances are prohibited in sports because they give users an unfair advantage and pose serious health risks. Anabolic steroids can enhance performance but can also lead to severe side effects and are considered unethical in sports competitions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding steroids and other banned substances, it is true that while they may enhance athletic performance by increasing muscle mass, strength, and endurance, they are prohibited by federal laws and various sports organizations for ethical and health concerns.
Anabolic steroids are synthetic variations of testosterone that can cause significant health risks, including increased aggression, cardiovascular disease, and severe acne. Use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) is considered cheating as it provides an unfair advantage to users over non-users and violates the 'spirit of sport'.
Many major sports associations, such as the National Football League (NFL) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), have banned PEDs. Despite these regulations, some athletes continue to misuse these substances, often leading to detrimental health effects ranging from mild cosmetic issues to life-threatening conditions. The use of anabolic steroids and other PEDs is banned due to the risk of serious side effects, including but not limited to infertility, aggressive behavior, structural heart damage, and potentially fatal outcomes such as heart attacks and brain cancer.