Athletic drug testing.

A drug-control program requires testing to ensure compliance and to deter use. In the athletic drug testing area, measurement of performance-enhancing substances is complex partly because of the large number of prohibited substances. A number of sophisticated analytical techniques, such as high-resolution mass spectrometry, are increasingly used to provide the maximum detection time window. Endogenous steroids pose an increasing challenge because of their availability in "nutritional supplements". Continued vigilance is required to prevent the pharmacologic enhancement of performance.