Anabolic steroids among resistance training practitioners

Abstract

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.

Oxandrolone Use Causes Dyslipidemia in Resistance-Training Practitioners

“…comparison with reference values and the detection of metabolite in urine, among others. Studies show that the AAS cycle (duration use) [116] can last from 10 to 12 weeks [4,[117][118][119], close to the timeframe of this study. It is important that we evaluated a single, isolated AAS.…”

“…Despite its therapeutic use, AAS are also indiscriminately used in supraphysiological doses (more than 600 mg/week) [14,15] by many professional or recreational athletes aiming to increase sports performance [16][17][18], rapid gains in lean mass [13,[16][17][18]19], and rapid loss of body fat [10], among other goals. Among several types of AAS, oxandrolone (OX) is one of the most used [23,[23][24][25][26]; high-frequency use (current and former users) made up 45.8% of one sample (n = 719; n = 329) in resistance-training practice (RTP) [27]. OX is used to increase performance [28][29][30][31], as well as to improve net protein balance and lean body mass in patients with serious burns [32,33], Klinefelter Syndrome, metabolic diseases [34], oral pathologies, and HIV [33].…”

Sudden Cardiac Death in Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Users: A Literature Review

“…Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of oxandrolone in the treatment of acute catabolic disorders, such as severe burns or severe trauma, and chronic catabolic disorders such as AIDS-associated cachexia or neuromuscular diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy [8]. As well as for therapeutic use, AAS are widely used illicitly by adolescents and athletes, especially by bodybuilders, both for aesthetic uses and as performance enhancers to increase muscle growth and lean body mass, in consideration of their significant anabolic effect [9,10].…”

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis as a rare side effect of combined anabolic-androgenic steroid use, high-protein diet and high-intensity anaerobic training

“…2 In this particular case, the patient combined AAS, insulin injections and high-protein diet. Basing on the study from Pereira et al only less than half of interviewed athletes realized the adverse health effects related to anabolic steroids, 3 which may present as various psychiatric symptoms, acne, voice alterations, liver changes, hypertension, arrhythmias, left ventricular hypertrophy, 4,5 decrease of reproductive hormones, potency or gynecomastia. 5,6 Left ventricular hypertrophy was observed in the patient's chest X-ray, which could cause systolic or diastolic function weakening in the future.…”