It looks like Andy, Roger (& Debbie), and all those others named in the Mitchell Report may have done all that supposed needling for nothing.

MSNBC reports on a new study that reveals human growth hormone isn’t making athletes stronger, and in fact, it might be hurting performance.

Medical researchers at Stanford University examined 27 different tests involving 440 young male athletes. And they discovered that HGH provides more than just muscle:

Researchers found that those who got the hormone put on about 5 pounds more of muscle, and lost about 2 pounds more of fat, although the fat loss wasn’t statistically different. The researchers said some of the extra body mass could just be fluid buildup.

There was no difference found in strength or exercise stamina between the two groups, but there were only two strength studies and eight that measured exercise. Those who got the hormone had more side effects including swelling and fatigue.

Researchers admit that most of the cases they studied were short-term tests, most running no longer than three months. And experiments to give subjects longer and heavier doses of HGH likely won’t happen. As Dr. Gary Wadler of the World Anti-Doping Agency remarked, “It’s dangerous, unethical and it’s never going to be done.”

But if the scientists change their minds and ethics, it should be a cinch to find eager volunteers. Just pay a visit to the nearest MLB dugout.