Evaluating the Pattern of Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Use and Its Relation with Mental Health of Male Members of Bodybuilding Clubs of Iran, in 2015

Abstract

Background: Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are currently used by many athletes for skeletal muscle development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of AAS use among bodybuilder athletes in Iran at 2015. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study 384 bodybuilders filled the study questionnaire evaluating age, education, and age at AAS use as underlying variables; pattern of AAS use as independent variable; and knowledge about AAS side effects and the relation between mental health and AAS use as dependent variables. Data was analyzed by SPSS using frequency tables, mean and standard deviation, chi-2, t-test, analysis of variances and regression. Results: Among 920 participants, 104 (11.3%) were current users, and 210 (22.8%) had the history of usage. Physical attraction was reason of use in 57.6% and increasing power and ability to enter professional sport were reasons for use in 44 participants each (21.2%). The marital status, age and education level did not have significant effects on AAS use. Friends (76.7%) and coaches (67.4%) had significant correlation with AAS use in participants (P < 0.000). The simultaneous use of alcohol (46.5%) and smoking (27.9%) among AAS users was significant (P < 0.001). Only 4.7% of participants had proper information about AAS side effects. Conclusions: The participants had little knowledge about AAS side effects, therefore educating adolescents and youth in high schools and universities, and also in sports clubs is necessary. Periodical assessment of coaches and athletes with regard to AAS use, and proper law enforcement in this regard is important.

Body composition and dietary patterns in professional and amateur bodybuilders

“…Supplementing the diet with anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) -testosterone enanthate at 3 mg/kg of body weight once a week for 12 weeks increased synthesis of muscles proteins by 27% (Griggs et al 1985). A consequence of using AAS are side effects though only 4.7% bodybuilders possess thorough knowledge on their occurrence (Saeidinejat et al 2018). Therefore, high values of protein in bodybuilders' diet may be connected with an inner belief of its key role in the process of hypertrophy and reduction of adipose tissue.…”

“…Application of doping among bodybuilders is frequent disregarding the risk of disqualification. Popular substances in bodybuilding include anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) which enable an increase of muscle mass by 20% in 12 weeks (Griggs et al 1985;Saeidinejat et al 2018). Strict monitoring of drugs application takes place in competitions of, so called, natural bodybuilders federation as in the group the process of hypertrophy is physiologically limited and catabolism of skeletal muscles during preparations for competitions higher if compared to athletes from different federations (Hackett et al 2013;Chappell et al 2018).…”

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a Scoping Review of Extant Empirical Literature

“…We included published empirical records on AAS from searches in the twenty-one countries located in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The types of records included were survey studies in Saudi Arabia (Al Bishi and Afify 2017; Al Al Nozha and Elshatarat 2017;Alharbi et al 2019;Althobiti et al 2018;Bahri et al 2017;Jabari et al 2016), United Arab Emirates , Kuwait Alsaeed and Alabkal 2015;Khullar et al 2016), Iran (Allahverdipour et al 2012;Angoorani and Halabchi 2015;Asr et al 2018;Bordbar et al 2014;Fijan et al 2018;Haerinejad et al 2016;Jalilian et al 2011;Kargarfard et al 2015;Mohammad 2014;Nakhaee et al 2013;Razavi et al 2014;Rezaei 2017;Saeidinejat et al 2017;Sepehri et al 2009;Sobhanian et al 2013), Iraq Habeeb et al 2012), Lebanon Melki et al 2015), Jordan Wazaify et al 2014), Pakistan Uddin et al 2019;Zafar et al 2018), and Sudan (Khidir and Mahmoud 2018); and conference proceedings from Bahrain ) (see Table 2). Correlational study.…”

“…Three studies did not detail whether the AAS users were male or female ( . Seven studies did not clearly state age or age range Alsamani et al 2017;Nakhaee et al 2013;Rezaie, 2017;Saeidinejat et al 2017;Sepehri et al 2009;Sobhanian et al 2013). Participants were from Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, Pakistan, and Sudan, with no notable differences in age ranges between countries.…”

“…Sourcing of AAS was not investigated by more than half of the included studies (Al Allahverdipour et al 2012;Al Nozha and Elshatarat 2017;Alsamani et al 2017;Angoorani and Halabchi 2015;Asr et al 2018;Bahri et al 2017;Bordbar et al 2014;Fijan et al 2018;Jabari et al 2016;Jalilian et al 2011: Karfargard et al, 2015Khullar et al 2016;Khidir and Mahmoud 2018;Melki et al 2015;Mohammad 2014;Razavi et al 2014;Rezaie, 2017;Saeidinejat et al 2017;Zafar et al 2018 Allafi et al 2019;Allahverdipour et al 2012;Al Nozha and Elshatarat 2017;Alsaeed and Alabkal 2015;Althobiti et al 2018;Angoorani and Halabchi 2015;Asr et al 2018;Bahri et al 2017;Hitti et al 2014;Hussain et al 2018;Jalilian et al 2011;Kargarfard et al 2015;Mohammad 2014;Razavi et al 2014;Wazaify et al 2014) reported on the types of AAS and associated drugs being used. The most commonly reported injectable were testosterone and nandrolone decanoate, and the most common oral AAS used were methandrostenolone and stanozolol, with the use of growth hormone reported in only four studies.…”