Advances in HGH test look to be contentious issue in coming NFL bargaining talks

NFL union unconvinced about HGH test validity

The future of testing for human growth hormone is shaping up to be a contentious issue in negotiations between the NFL and the players’ union. The league supports blood-based testing while the union is less certain about its validity.

NFL Players Association president Kevin Mawae tells The Associated Press the union is aware of new tests, including a blood test that could detect HGH for up to 14 days. But that the union believes the test that is currently available, which has about only a 48-hour window of detection, is not completely reliable.

The collective bargaining agreement expires in March, which could lead to a work stoppage during the 2011 season.