While AAS use is not the only method to preserve muscle mass, it may benefit these populations. Loss of muscle mass has been closely linked to mortality in these diseases and preventing it can improve therapeutic outcomes and extend lifespan ( 11, 12, 13, 14). While not as common, AAS can be used in these populations to help preserve muscle mass ( 9, 10). Several conditions can lead to muscle loss, including AIDS, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, and kidney and liver disease.
Some athletes also include other synthetic hormones, such as growth hormone and insulin. Many users in this category also utilize a strategy called “stacking,” which is a slang term for mixing multiple types of AAS. While more potent effects may be seen at higher doses, the risk of side effects increases as well. The dosing of AAS in strength sports tends to be more liberal, as many federations don’t test for these and other substances. While the goal of bodybuilding is maximum muscle mass in a given category, strength and muscle size are closely related, though other factors are at play as well ( 8). In these sports, muscle strength, size, and power directly relate to overall performance. When it comes to strength sports, including bodybuilding, powerlifting, and Olympic weightlifting, anabolic steroids are widely used to increase muscle mass, strength, and power output ( 5). Strength athletes looking to increase muscle mass and strength Though most sporting federations ban AAS, some athletes feel the risk of getting caught is worth the benefits. Muscle mass is not the main concern here, as they’re used more for recovery and increased power output ( 6, 7). In competitive sports, steroid dosing tends to be fairly conservative to avoid detection. They have been shown to increase muscle mass, which leads to increased speed and power output ( 5).Īthletes using AAS can experience strength gains of 5–20% and weight gains of 4.5–11 pounds (2–5 kg), which may be due to an increase in lean body mass ( 5).
While advanced strength and conditioning exercises, as well as nutrition, go a long way in this regard, some athletes take it a step further by taking performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).ĪAS are one of the major PEDs used by athletes. In the world of sports, athletes are constantly looking for ways to get an edge over the competition.
Athletes looking to improve speed and power output These potential effects may benefit various groups of individuals.
They affect various parts of your body, such as your muscles, hair follicles, bones, liver, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems. Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are a synthetic form of testosterone, which is the primary male sex hormone ( 1).