(AP) - The NFL and players union are talking again about starting to test for human growth hormone as early as the upcoming season. The labor agreement that ended the NFL lockout in 2011 allowed the league to test players for HGH, once the union approved the process. The NFL Players Association says it favors testing, but has reservations about the appeals process.
An email obtained by The Associated Press from the NFL Players Association indicates that the league and the NFLPA have jointly hired a doctor to conduct a study on NFL players to determine a good threshold for a positive HGH test. The email was sent by the union to players, in part to explain that the study requires them to have blood drawn during their physical when training camp begins. The email said the blood samples will only be used for the study.
Supplemental HGH is a banned substance that is hard to detect and used by athletes for what are believed to be a variety of benefits, whether real or only perceived - such as increasing speed and improving vision.
