BackgroundTo verify the prevalence and profile of users and non-users of anabolic steroid (AS) among resistance training practitioners.MethodsAn observational, cross-sectional survey was performed in 100 gyms in Curitiba city, involving 5773 individuals and self-administered questionnaires. The chi-square and z-tests of proportions were used for comparison between the groups (p < 0.05).Results83.2% did not use, 9.1% formerly used, 3.4% currently used, and 4.3% intended used AS. The prevalence of former or current AS users was 16.9 and 6.5% among men and women, respectively. The prevalence ratios were as follows: 1) 2.6 male users for each woman; 2) 3.3 individuals aged 30–44 years and 2.8 individuals aged 18–29 years for each individual aged over 45 years. Beginners were not interested in using AS, but individuals who had trained longer had higher prevalence of AS use.ConclusionsThe gym environment encouraged the use of AS owing to aesthetic appeal. Thus, suggesting the need for actions to prevent abusive use of AS considering the practitioners profile (practitioners were young, university and single).

ObjectiveTo compare the use of anabolic steroids (AS), the motivation to use them, their side effects, the source of information and the form in which AS were obtained, the medical follow-up, and the periodic examinations in resistance training practitioners who are either current or former users of AS.MethodsA prevalence survey was performed in the gyms of the city of Curitiba, including 719 current and former AS users who self-administered a questionnaire. The chi-square and z of proportions (p <0.05) statistical tests were conducted.ResultsEsthetics was the main motivation associated with AS intake, leading to satisfactory results. The information about the form in which to use AS was provided by doctors and AS were either purchased at the pharmacy with a prescription or illegally. Current users reported a higher number of cycles and doses, a longer duration of use, as well as larger economical investments into AS. This shows a higher consumption of such drugs, regardless of the medical follow-up and post-cycle therapy.ConclusionGiven that a change in the usage pattern was observed when increasing the AS consumption, this should be considered in the elaboration of public policies to inhibit such a trend.

INTRODUÇÃO: O treino locomotor com suporte parcial de peso (TLSP) pode ser aplicado na reabilitação de pessoas com lesão medular e proporcionar melhoras funcionais, da função cardiovascular e auxiliar na prevenção e tratamento da osteopenia e osteoporose, que são importantes complicações secundárias à LM. OBJETIVOS: Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar e comparar a densidade mineral óssea (DMO) antes e após seis meses de TLSP em sujeitos com LM incompleta. MÉTODO: A amostra foi composta por oito voluntários, com LM com classificações (ASIA) A, B e D. O grupo foi submetido a sessões de treinos, três vezes por semana, com duração de 15 minutos, a uma velocidade de 1,5 km/h. A descarga de peso sobre membros inferiores era aumentada em 5% do peso corporal a cada duas semanas, passando de 20% até 65% do peso corporal, desde o início até o fim do período. Foram realizados exames de densitometria óssea antes do início e logo após o encerramento do programa de treinamento. RESULTADOS: Houve aumento na DMO média do fêmur total que, apesar de pequeno (0,05 g/cm²), foi significativo (p = 0,034). Nas demais regiões (colo do fêmur e trocânter) não houve alteração significativa. CONCLUSÃO: O TLSP pode ter auxiliado na manutenção da DMO nas regiões do colo do fêmur e trocânter.

The locomotor training with partial weight support (LTPWS) is a method for gait rehabilitation which consists in suspending the individual over a treadmill while its lower limbs are passively moved mimicking the gait cycle. In order to properly apply LTPWS, the weight load over lower limbs must be controlled and monitored. The main aim of this work was to develop a partial weight support system (WSS) able to measure lower and upper limb loading. Also, instrumentation for measuring knee angle, foot contact and EMG data was developed for training assessment. The WSS was constructed with a pulley system, a steel cable, a manual winch, a load cell fixed at the cable and two other load cells fixed to handrails built on an electrical treadmill. For the measuring system, electrogoniometers and footswitches were constructed and a signal acquisition platform was developed on LabVIEW ® environment. The load cells and electrogoniometers were calibrated and tested. A pilot test with a healthy individual was carried out at a speed of 1.5 km/h with a load of 60% of the body weight, over lower limbs. The developed WSS exhibited an error below 1.5% and was able to measure upper and lower limb weight load. It allows analyzing upper limbs loading and lateral unbalance, what might be important for neural rehabilitation. The measuring system was able to provide kinematic and electromyographic patterns similar to those shown in the literature under similar conditions. A patent request was submitted to the INPI under protocol #0000280904043771.

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