Prevalence of Anabolic-androgenic Steroid abuse in Male Bodybuilders in Rasht: a brief report

The abuse of steroid compounds has increased significantly in recent years, with a wide range of physical and psychological side effects for bodybuilders. In this regard, this study aimed to prevalence of anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse in steroid bodybuilders.

The present study was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical. The statistical population included all steroid and natural bodybuilders in Rasht in 2018, who were purposefully selected from 234 athletes (75 steroid bodybuilders and 159 natural bodybuilders) and answered the researcher-made questionnaire containing population-cognitive information. Data analysis was also performed using SPSS-24 software and Chi-square test and logistic regression.

In the study subjects, 132 natural bodybuilders were between 1 and 3 years old, and 38 steroid bodybuilders had a bodybuilding history of 4 to 6 years, which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Steroid drug abuse among single people (64%) was significantly higher than among married athletes (36%) (p<0.001). In terms of income (p<0.001) and sleep quality (p< 0.005), there was a significant difference between the two groups.

Due to the low quality of sleep of steroid bodybuilders and their lack of awareness of the physical and psychological side effects of these drugs, it is recommended to sports coaches and psychologists with more supervision over the distribution and use of steroid drugs and raise awareness of bodybuilders Significantly control and manage the use of these drugs.