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NEWS
RELEASE
June 1, 2005
For immediate release
STEROID SURVEY REVEALS DANGEROUS TRENDS
AMONG
USERS
Most users concerned more with enhancing appearance than inappropriate
dosages or adverse health effects
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Major findings in a new survey of 500 steroid
users reveal specific, alarming trends: most are non-athletes whose
sole
intention is to improve their physical appearance; users are taking
larger
doses than previously recorded; and even though nearly all admitted to
adverse side effects, health concerns are not enough to deter their
steroid
use. The results of the survey were released today at the 52nd
American
College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting in Nashville,
Tenn.
The survey was conducted to identify current trends in
steroid-taking
habits. Researchers posted an anonymous, self-administered
questionnaire
to several message boards on Web sites popular among steroid users.
While
it is known the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) among
bodybuilders
is widespread to increase muscle size and strength, information
regarding
self-administered AAS used non-medically to enhance athletic
performance
or improve physical appearance is sparse and poorly documented.
Of the 500 AAS users who participated in the survey, 78.4 percent
(392/500)
were non-competitive bodybuilders and non-athletes. Nearly 60 percent
(298/500) reported using at least 1000mg of testosterone or its
equivalent
per week. The majority (99.2 percent or 496/500) of AAS users
self-administer
their injections, and up to 13 percent (65/500) report unsafe
injection
practices, such as re-using needles, sharing needles, and sharing
multi-dose
vials. In addition to using AAS, 25 percent of users admitted to also
using growth hormone and insulin for anabolic effect. Finally, 99.2
percent
(496/500) of users reported subjective side effects from AAS use.
“Clearly, the alarm is not ringing for the users who responded
to our survey,” said Nick A. Evans, M.D., lead author for the study
and physician at UCLA-Orthopaedic Hospital, Los Angeles. “They are
not sensing or seeing the extremely dangerous game they are playing
with
these drugs. There are severe health risks associated with steroid use
and abuse, but four out of five of our respondents report a greater
desire
to improve their physical appearance than to protect their health.
Creating
awareness among influencers like parents, coaches, trainers and health
professionals may be a way to reach users and help them guide them
back
to safe health and fitness habits.”
Anabolic steroid use has been implicated in early heart disease,
including
sudden death, changes in blood cholesterol profile (increased LDL,
lower
HDL) resulting in increased risk of coronary artery disease,
testicular
atrophy, gynecomastia (abnormal enlargement of breasts in males), male
pattern baldness, severe acne, premature closure of growth plates in
adolescents,
emotional disturbances, and other significant health risks.
ACSM's 52nd Annual Meeting is going on now at the Gaylord Opryland
Resort
and Convention Center. For more information on the event, or to speak
with ACSM Communications and Public Information staff, please call
(615)
458-0996.
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports
medicine
and exercise science organization in the world. More than 20,000
international,
national, and regional members are dedicated to promoting and
integrating
scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports
medicine
and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance,
fitness,
health, and quality of life.
-30-
NOTE: The conclusions outlined in this news release are those
of
the researchers only, and should not be construed as an official
statement
of the American College of Sports Medicine.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: ACSM’s 52nd Annual Meeting takes place
June 1-4, 2005. After June 6, please call the ACSM Communications and
Public Information office at (317) 637-9200 ext. 117 or 127.
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