Effects of Long-Term Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Administration on Respiratory Function

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance training and long-term anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) administration on respiratory function. Subject groups consisted of AAS users (n = 9) who were still using AAS at time of testing (SU); AAS users (n = 6) who had been abstinent for > 3 months (SA), bodybuilding controls (n = 8) (BC), and (n = 8) sedentary male controls (SC). FEV1, FVC, and PEF were measured. The results found that all subjects were within normal range, and there were no differences between groups. Maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and grip strength were both significantly greater in SU (P < 0.05) compared with SC; no significant difference was found between the other groups. Their MIP and grip strength was significantly correlated (r = 0.57; P < 0.05). The data from this study suggest that the combination of resistance training and AAS administration produce a significant increase in MIP in a cohort of long-term AAS users.