CARDIAC DIMENSIONS AND FUNCTION ARE NOT AFFECTED BY EIGHT WEEKS ANDROGENIC-ANABOLIC STEROID USE 209

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of eight weeks self-administration of high doses androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) in a stacking way on cardiac dimensions and function in non elite male bodybuilders. A prospective, non blinded study design was chosen. The AAS group (AAS-G, n=9) consisted of experienced AAS users who were drug free for more than 3 months at start of the study. Non using bodybuilders served as controls (CO-G, n=10). Both groups were comparable with respect to age (30.6± 6.7 vs. 33.9 ± 4.2, AAS-G resp. CO-G), height (178 ± 5 vs. 175 ± 7 cm), weight (83.1 ± 8.0 vs. 85.5 ± 10.7 kg), training experience (7.8 ± 2.5 and 8.3 ± 3.7 years) and weekly training hours (8.9 ± 2.3 resp. 8.6 ± 2.5). M-mode- and two-dimensional Doppler-echocardiograms (Hewlett-Packard Sonos 1000) were performed in all subjects at start and after 8 weeks training with (AAS-G) or without (CO-G) AAS use. Left atrium diameter, left ventricular end diastolic and systolic diameter, interventricular septum end diastolic wall diameter, posterior wall end diastolic and systolic wall diameter, left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index, ejection fraction, left ventricular end diastolic and systolic volume were determined. No significant differences between groups nor within groups were observed at start and after 8 weeks(ANOVA for repeated measures, P<0.05). In conclusion, eight weeks self administration of high doses AAS in a stacking way does not affect cardiac dimensions and function in non elite bodybuilders as determined by echocardiography.