I would say that most competitive athletes are in fact very healthy. They have structured training routines and structured diets to maximize their performance and most of them have an entourage of trainers watching over everything they do. Now when you lump in competitive bodybuilders is when the shit hits the fan as far as health goes. I would as far to say that competitive bodybuilding, and bodybuilding in general whenever drug use is involved, is the most unhealthy sport that there is so I agree with you there.

I agree Bud - competing is very unhealthy. Steroids are unhealthy in the first place but then spending weeks/months of losing essential body fat and dehydrating yourself to dangerous levels whilst at the same time running gear to me is pure insanity. The body struggles enough as it is with adequate hydration and salts on steroids. Hence why we see guys fainting on stage and prematurely dying before 50 because their kidney's and liver are knackered.

Over training too is a very real thing - training leads to microtears, train too much without adequate rest and these become bigger tears. Till it gets to the point where it becomes a proper muscle tear and Injury. The discipline is knowing just where to stop before this occurs and not allow yourself to lift again until you are fully healed.