Gelogen verhalen. Het gebodybuilde lichaam tussen fantasie en werkelijkheid

Samenvatting

Tales of Lies. The Bodybuilder's Body Image between Fantasy and Reality. The relationships between the body image idealized in the world of bodybuilding and the use of doping (primarily anabolic steroids) are examined. It is argued that the almost mythical status of a small group of bodybuilders (eg, Arnold Schwarzenegger) and the success of a few cult figures in the entertainment industry (eg, Conan the Barbarian) not only encourage, but actually mandate, use of doping among average bodybuilders, whose muscle mass fails to measure up to these standards in spite of rigorous training. Since traditional training programs consist primarily of appeals to train incessantly, and since most bodybuilders reach a physical threshold long before their ideal of perfection is reached, many see no other option than using chemical enhancements to counteract the muscle damage that results from their training schedules. It is proposed that bodybuilders be extensively informed about alternative, less strenuous but possibly equally successful training programs based on alternate action and rest periods, such as those promoted by Mike Mentzer in the US and Hans Kroon in the Netherlands. 14 References. Adapted from the source document.