Illicit use and abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids among Brazilian bodybuilders.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are used to enhance performance and appearance. The aim of this research was to assess the knowledge of AAS among Brazilian bodybuilders. The sample was comprised of 123 male participants between the ages of 18 and 50 years. Questionnaires were administered to bodybuilders from gyms in the district capital and in the rural area of Pernambuco, state of northeast of Brazil, in 2008. We analyzed the use and abuse of AAS from several different perspectives among the bodybuilders. For the participants in our study, enhanced appearance justifies the misuse of AAS. The study's limitations are noted.
Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Alameda Benevento, Salvador, Brazil. azpersonal@yahoo.com
Azenildo Moura
AM
Santos
Manoel Sérgio Pereira
MS
da Rocha
Marcos Freire
MF
da Silva
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000728:Androgens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001938:Brazil; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000523:psychology*
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens