Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) in Sports: A Review

Abstract

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are an exciting group of molecules with pronounced anabolic effects and very weak to missing androgenic ones. This is due to the tissue selectivity they possess and is their big advantage over anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). As a result of this SARMs tend to be a big promise for improving the treatment process in different socially significant diseases such as osteoporosis, muscle wasting, benign prostatic hyperplasia, hypogonadism, sexual dysfunction, neurodegenerative diseases etc. SARMs are included in the prohibited list of World Anti-Doping agency (WADA) as they are a temptation for a lot of athletes regarding the exerted strong anabolic effect. However, as SARMs are freely available on the internet there are some reports for positive doping tests in professional sports connected with them. Still further research is needed to examine all the side effects of SARMs. Some of them may be harmful so both professional and amateur sportsmen, their coaches and doctors should be informed about this interesting topic. Keywords: SARM(s), anabolic effect, sports, doping, side effects