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The effects of anabolic steroids on myocardial structure and cardiovascular fitness
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1993
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Myocardial StructureCardiovascular FunctionKinesiologyBody CompositionExerciseApplied PhysiologyPublic HealthCardiologySteroid MetabolismCardiac MechanicHealth SciencesMyocardial InfarctionCardiovascular ImagingPhysical FitnessCardiovascular DiseaseAnabolic SteroidsExercise PhysiologyPhysiologyLeft VentricularCardiovascular PhysiologyWeight Trainers
The study aimed to assess how anabolic steroid use affects myocardial structure, VO₂max, and body composition in age‑matched male weight trainers. Participants were evaluated at baseline, during an anabolic steroid cycle, and after an 8‑week off‑cycle period, with comparisons to non‑users. Steroid users exhibited greater left ventricular mass, interventricular septum thickness, LV diameter, and posterior wall thickness, and lower VO₂max compared to non‑users, yet their myocardial shortening fraction remained unchanged.
To determine the effects of anabolic steroids on myocardial structure, VO2max, and body composition, experienced age-matched male weight trainers (M age 26.5 yr) who either used (U) (N = 11) or did not use (NU) (N = 13) anabolic steroids were evaluated. Steroid users were tested while off cycle (U-OFF) for at least 8 wk, again at the peak (U-ON) of their subsequent cycle, and to the nonuser group of weight trainers. Echocardiographic measurements revealed significant differences in left ventricular (LV) mass (182.8 +/- 26.9 g vs 210.6 +/- 42 g; P < 0.05) and interventricular septum thickness (IVS) (10.3 +/- 1.2 mm vs 11.1 +/- 1.2 mm; P < 0.05) between U-OFF and U-ON, respectively. NU measurements were also significantly different than U-ON for LV mass and IVS (186.5 +/- 36.2 g; P < 0.05 and 9.3 +/- 1.2 mm; P < 0.05, respectively). LV diameter in diastole was significantly greater in U-ON (59.1 mm) than in NU (55.7 mm; P < 0.05). In addition, LV posterior wall thickness in diastole was greater in U-ON compared with NU (11.2 mm vs 9.5 mm; P < 0.05). VO2max values for both user groups were significantly lower than those for NU (U-OFF = 41.0 +/- 4.5 ml.kg-1.min-1, U-ON = 41.0 +/- 5.7 ml.kg-1.min-1, and NU = 50.2 +/- 6.4 ml.kg-1.min-1; P < 0.05). Despite these morphological changes within the myocardium, there were no concomitant increases in shortening fraction.