Are young athletes being pushed too far to consistently reach higher and higher expectations? Taking vitamins is highly recommended by doctors, but there are some supplements whose use is illegal in high school sports. New pre-workout supplements prompt new drug policies in high schools, research on both the active ingredients and the short/long term effects of these products. These pre-workouts are the steroids of this generation and can have equally dangerous side effects. Their aim is to provide you with a quick and long-lasting energy boost, increased blood flow, muscle growth and faster recovery periods. Their popularity is growing faster than the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can research them and provide more information about what these products really do to your body, such as whether they are actually safe to use for young adult athletes. First it should be recognized that all pre-workout supplements should only be purchased by those who are eighteen years of age or older, although these regulations are incorrect (MSHSL). Stores will rarely ask for identification and will focus more on selling their products. But no matter what the age, if the athlete does these pre-workouts during a school sport, the athlete will face suspension from play. The Minnesota State High School League states that student athletes are not permitted to in any way ingest supplements containing the chemical creatine, androstenedione, ephedrine, or any other similar or performance-enhancing drug except under the direction of a licensed medical professional. They also reserve the right to subject all athletes participating in high school sports to random drug testing at any time. The MSHSL bases their policies on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited ban... half of the paper... there is still research to be done, but for now it is up to the individual to decide whether he or she is healthy enough to take these products safely or whether it is worth taking them, given the long-term effects. Work Cited Bennett, Andrew. “Negative Side Effects of Muscle Building Supplements.”Livestrong. August 16, 2013. Web. March 1, 2014Kristof, Gregory. “Menomonie High School Students Suspended After Taking C4 Extreme, Creatine Supplement Energy Drink.” July 12, 2012. Huffington Post. Network. March 1, 2014.MSHSL. “Position of Steroids and Supplements.” Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. Pg 1. Web. March 6, 2014. Stoppani, Jim. “Pre-workout!”. Student Research Center. January 2013. Page 66.Joe Weider Muscle and Fitness.Us. 20 February 2014.WADA “2013 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods”. Download Center. September 2013. page. 1-9. Network. March 6 2014