Anabolic steroids are drugs. Anabolic steroids:
• increase muscle mass in humans
• are banned in most competitive sports.
Some athletes take anabolic steroids to improve their performance in sport. Explain how taking anabolic steroids could improve an athlete's performance.

Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones that mimic testosterone. They stimulate protein synthesis within cells, which results in the build-up of cellular tissue, especially in muscles. 1. **Increased Muscle Mass and Strength:** By increasing muscle mass, the athlete becomes stronger and more powerful. This directly improves performance in sports that rely on explosive power, such as sprinting, throwing events, or weightlifting. 2. **Enhanced Recovery:** Steroids can also help athletes recover more quickly from strenuous training sessions or injuries. This allows them to train harder and more frequently, leading to greater improvements in performance over time.