It's time for school athletics to gear up.  And, it's a good time for school coaches and parents to remind student athletes that being in shape naturally is better than taking steroids or other performance-enhancing products. In the long run, the short-term gain will never outweigh the negative affects these drugs can have on one's body and overall health over time.

Dania Sweitzer, the Director of Pleasantville Physical Therapy and Sports, was a speaker at a recent conference about steroids. She ended her presentation with a story about her own nephew, who as a boy was so thin he was called "stick boy." She explained how through proper nutrition and training - without performance enhancing products - he went on to become a champion swimmer. Her nephew is Ryan Lochte, who won the gold medal for the men's individual backstroke and the bronze medal for the men's individual free style at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. He also won a gold medal for the men's 400-meter relay with Michael Phelps.

We've assembled information from a wide array of resources to help student athletes make wise and healthy decisions. You can also watch our public service announcement on steroids (00:32 min.) or a more in-depth video on the same topic. (59:26 min.)