Competitive Bodybuilders Research Articles

Distal Triceps Tendon Repair in Strength Athletes Leads to Satisfactory Return to Sports: A Retrospective Analysis of 22 Cases.

Background: Distal triceps brachii tendon rupture (DTTR) is a relatively rare injury that is common in bodybuilding and high-intensity contact sports and can lead to significant functional impairment of the elbow joint. This study was conducted to evaluate clinical outcomes and the rate of return to sports among competitive bodybuilders and high-demand strength athletes after surgical repair of DTTR. Methods: This retrospective case series was performed in an institutional setting in tertiary health care. Return to sports of 22 competing or high-demand strength athletes (meaning three or more exercises per week) were analyzed pre- and postoperatively after surgical repair of DTTR using a hybrid technique of transosseous sutures and anchor fixation. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic variables, and independent and paired t-tests were used to assess clinical outcomes. Results: The follow-up showed that from pre- to postoperatively, there was no deterioration in the number of sports disciplines (2.4 and 2.5 sporting activities per person, respectively; p = 0.540) or in the frequency of weekly training (4.1 and 4.1 times per person, respectively; p = 0.329). The postoperative visual analog scale for pain (from 6.0 to 1.6, p < 0.001), level of fitness (from 5.1 to 2.6, p = 0.002), and ability to train (from 5.2 to 1.3, p < 0.001) improved significantly. The time of return to sports was 1.5-3 months and 4-6 months after the surgery for ten patients each. The overall rate of return to sports was 95%, whereas 86% returned to the preinjury level of sporting activity. Conclusions: Repair of DTTR leads to high rates of return to sports in competitive athletes.

A Review: Exploring Nutrition Approaches to Improve Mental Health Among Athletes: Focus on Depression and Disordered Eating

Elite sports environments can increase psychiatric conditions like stress and depression due to social pressure for specific body shapes, encouraging disordered eating behaviors, especially in endurance, aesthetic, and weight-dependent sports. This review aims to investigate eating habits among athletes suffering from poor mental health and identify dietary strategies or nutritional advice to mitigate these conditions in physically active individuals. The review focused on studies conducted after 2010 involving adults in any level of regular physical activity, showcasing psychiatric symptoms related to a disordered relationship with food, including depression and various eating disorders. The search on the literature databases was conducted on 20th October 2023 through multiple electronic databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar) to capture as many relevant citations as possible. Exclusions were made for studies on children or psychiatric patients. The research was sourced from significant databases, emphasizing the correlation between dietary habits and mental health in athletes. Findings reveal that athletes, particularly in ultra-endurance and weight-dependent sports, are susceptible to psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and exercise addiction. Competitive bodybuilders also showed higher levels of depression and orthorexia nervosa symptoms. Tailored nutrition therapy, guided by healthcare professionals and adjusted to each athlete's specific needs and preferences, is crucial for addressing psychiatric symptoms and eating disorders in athletes. A holistic approach to recovery and well-being can significantly enhance both performance and overall quality of life, underscoring the importance of high-quality, balanced diets in supporting mental health and athletes' achievement.

Training, Pharmacological Ergogenic Aids, Dehydration, and Nutrition Strategies during a Peak Week in Competitive Brazilian Bodybuilders: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study in a Non-World Anti-Doping Agency Competitive Environment.

this observational and cross-sectional study aimed to describe training, pharmacological ergogenic aids, dehydration, and nutrition strategies during a peak week in competitive bodybuilders and monitor changes that occurred across this period. Ten amateur bodybuilders were followed during a peak week phase and one day post-contest. Training, diet, dehydration protocol, anabolic steroid use, and nonsteroidal agents were recorded, prescribed, and supervised by the same coach in charge. Body composition, resting metabolic rate, and circumferences were assessed by the research team. Overall, during the peak week phase, the use of anabolic steroids, diuretics, and other pharmacological aids was high among athletes, and the dose and frequency were similar between competitors. Despite the use of supraphysiological doses of drugs, bodybuilders displayed a statistical reduction of lean mass markers, resting metabolic rate, and fat mass markers, possibly influenced by the performance of high volumes of aerobic exercise combined with dietary energy restriction. The main findings of this study display that the coach in charge of Brazilian bodybuilders applied the same anabolic steroid, diuretic, and other pharmacological protocols for all competitors. Moreover, the protocols employed by bodybuilders did not fully attenuate the loss of lean mass during the peak week period.

The perfect storm: a meta-ethnography of the motivations, behaviours, and experiences of competitive bodybuilders

ABSTRACT Studies investigating competitive bodybuilding have primarily done so from a pathologizing perspective, and have often considered aspects of the competitive bodybuilding lifestyle in isolation, therefore overlooking the broader motivations underlying individuals’ engagement in the sport. The current study addressed these limitations by using a meta-ethnographic approach to review the existing competitive bodybuilding literature as a collective. Synthesis of 20 published studies relating to competitive bodybuilders’ motivations, behaviours, and experiences resulted in the construction of five third-order constructs: a journey of self-discovery and improvement, gaining a new identity, enacting control, conditional and unconditional social support, and decisional balance. Encapsulated as a ‘perfect storm’, the results offer novel conceptual understanding of how the interplay of personality traits, life experiences, and situational factors drive competitors to begin and maintain their participation in competitive bodybuilding, the social support they experience, and the role of control in competitors’ motivations, harm management, and justificatory processes. From an applied perspective, the study has implications in terms of both support provision and harm management.

Examining the Exercise Addiction Levels of Competitive Bodybuilders

Egzersiz bağımlılığı kişinin aşırı egzersiz yaptığı, fiziksel ve psikolojik olarak zarar gördüğü, iyilik halinin etkilendiği bir durumdur. Bu araştırmada yarışmacı vücut geliştirme sporcularının egzersiz bağımlık düzeylerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Kişisel Bilgi Formu ve Egzersiz Bağımlılığı Ölçeği’ni (EBÖ) dolduran 23 kadın ve 126 erkek yarışmacı vücut geliştirme sporcusu oluşturmuştur. Sporcuların yanıtlarından elde edilen verilere göre sporcuların toplam egzersiz bağımlılık (TEB) puanları tamamının egzersiz bağımlısı olduğunu ve EBÖ’nün aşırı odaklanma ve duygu değişimi (AODD) alt boyutunda aşırı bağımlı, bireysel ve sosyal ihtiyaçların ertelenmesi (BSIE) ve tolerans gelişimi ve tutku (TGT) alt boyutlarında egzersiz bağımlısı olduklarını açığa çıkarmıştır. Yapılan analizler sonucunda cinsiyet, yaş, eğitim durumu, antrenman süresi, haftalık antrenman sayısı, spor yılı değişkenlerinde TEB seviyeleri ve alt boyutlarında anlamlı farklılıklar tespit edilmiştir. Milli sporcu olma değişkenine göre TEB ve alt boyutlarında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir farklılığa rastlanmamıştır. Tespit edilen bağımlılığın sebebi temel olarak sporcuların mükemmeliyetçilik algısı, sosyal fizik kaygısı ve sosyal kabul duygusu gibi kavramlar ile açıklanmaktadır.

The theory of planned behavior and dietary behaviors in competitive women bodybuilders

BackgroundWomen bodybuilders build their ideal physique by manipulating their diet, supplement, and exercise regimens to extreme levels. Excess protein intake and dietary supplement use is ubiquitous in women bodybuilders preparing for a competition, i.e., in-season competitors, however the impetus for these two dietary behaviors are relatively unknown. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been used to explain dietary behaviors. The purpose of the study was to examine how the TPB can explain protein intake and dietary supplement use in in-season competitors.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, an online questionnaire was developed, validated, and administered to collect dietary supplement use, TPB variables, and other measures from 112 in-season competitors. Protein intake was assessed using multiple 24-h dietary recalls. Associations between TPB and protein intake and dietary supplement use were determined with multiple regression analysis while adjusting for confounders.ResultsFor protein intake: attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control explained 8% of the variance in intention; subjective norm independently predicted intention. Behavioral beliefs predicted attitude; subjective norm was predicted by trainer/coach, workout partners, and social media influencers. For dietary supplement use: intention explained 5% of the variance in dietary supplement use; attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control together explained 38% of the variance in intention. Attitudes towards dietary supplements use were predicted by five factors (not a waste of money, help improve physique, sustain energy levels, provide enough calories, help with recovery). Primary determinants of subjective norm were fellow competitors, social media influencers, and trainer/coach. Perceived behavioral control was predicted by three factors (ease of purchase, affordability to purchase, availability to purchase).ConclusionsTPB predicted dietary supplement use in women bodybuilders during in-season but there was little evidence for the prediction of protein intake using the TPB. Health professionals should develop effective interventions using strategies that align health education messages with in-season competitors’ outcome beliefs and collaborate with their referent others to influence safer and effective dietary supplement use.

Biceps Brachii and Brachioradialis Excitation in Biceps Curl Exercise: Different Handgrips, Different Synergy.

The current study analyzed the excitation of biceps brachii, brachioradialis, and anterior deltoid during bilateral biceps curl performed with different handgrips. Ten competitive bodybuilders performed bilateral biceps curl in non-exhaustive 6-rep sets using 8-RM with the forearm in supinated, pronated, and neutral positions. The ascending and descending phase of each variation was separately analyzed using the normalized root mean square collected using surface electromyography. During the ascending phase, (i) biceps brachii excitation was greater with the supinated compared to the pronated [+19(7)%, ES: 2.60] and neutral handgrip [+12(9)%, ES: 1.24], (ii) the brachioradialis showed greater excitation with the supinated compared to the pronated [+5(4)%, ES: 1.01] and neutral handgrip [+6(5)%, ES: 1.10], (iii) the anterior deltoid excitation was greater with the pronated and neutral handgrip compared to the supinated condition [+6(3)% and +9(2)%, ES: 2.07 and 3.18, respectively]. During the descending phase, the anterior deltoid showed greater excitation in the pronated compared to the supinated handgrip [+5(4)%, ES: 1.02]. Changing the handgrips when performing biceps curl induces specific variations in biceps brachii and brachioradialis excitation and requires different anterior deltoid interventions for stabilizing the humeral head. Practitioners should consider including different handgrips in the biceps curl routine to vary the neural and mechanical stimuli.

Bilateral Biceps Curl Shows Distinct Biceps Brachii and Anterior Deltoid Excitation Comparing Straight vs. EZ Barbell Coupled with Arms Flexion/No-Flexion.

The present study investigated the excitation of the biceps brachii and anterior deltoid during bilateral biceps curl performed using the straight vs. EZ barbell and with or without flexing the arms. Ten competitive bodybuilders performed bilateral biceps curl in non-exhaustive 6-rep sets using 8-RM in four variations: using the straight barbell flexing (STflex) or not flexing the arms (STno-flex) or the EZ barbell flexing (EZflex) or not flexing the arms (EZno-flex). The ascending and descending phases were separately analyzed using the normalized root mean square (nRMS) collected using surface electro-myography. For the biceps brachii, during the ascending phase, a greater nRMS was observed in STno-flex vs. EZno-flex (+1.8%, effect size [ES]: 0.74), in STflex vs. STno-flex (+17.7%, ES: 3.93) and in EZflex vs. EZno-flex (+20.3%, ES: 5.87). During the descending phase, a greater nRMS was observed in STflex vs. EZflex (+3.8%, ES: 1.15), in STno-flex vs. STflex (+2.8%, ES: 0.86) and in EZno-flex vs. EZflex (+8.1%, ES: 1.81). The anterior deltoid showed distinct excitation based on the arm flexion/no-flexion. A slight advantage in biceps brachii excitation appears when using the straight vs. EZ barbell. Flexing or not flexing the arms seems to uniquely excite the biceps brachii and anterior deltoid. Practitioners should consider including different bilateral biceps barbell curls in their routine to vary the neural and mechanical stimuli.

Androgenic-anabolic steroids use among bodybuilders in western Iran: application of ridge logistic regression model

IntroductionNowadays, the use of androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) by competitive and non-competitive bodybuilders and its side effects have become a major public health problem. Many studies have focused on determining the role and severity of various factors in AAS use, but the existence of collinearity between the factors leads to the non-significance of important factors. The study aimed to determine factors affecting the androgenic-anabolic steroids use in Iranian bodybuilders.MethodThis descriptive-analytical study was performed on 280 male bodybuilders (142 non-competitive and 138 competitive bodybuilders) in Hamadan, west of Iran, in 2016. The participations were recruited a multistage sampling method. A self-administrated questionnaire was used, which included parts such as intrapersonal, interpersonal, and behavioral factors affecting on AAS use. To solve the consequences of collinearity was used ridge logistic regression model (RLRM) in R.3.5.1 software.ResultsThe mean age of bodybuilders was 25.21 years (SD = 6.31). The prevalence rate of AAS use among non-competitive and competitive bodybuilders was 27.5% and 34.1%, respectively. Factors such as age, time of starting bodybuilding, attitude, physical self-concept, behavioral intention, coach and friend use AAS, alcohol consumption, and supplement use were associated with AAS use among non-competitive and competitive bodybuilders.ConclusionThe results of the study indicated that a combination of intrapersonal, interpersonal and behavioral factors was effective on the androgenic-anabolic steroids use among Iranian bodybuilders. Adequate education about the side effects of AAS and improvement of individual skills seem to be helpful in reducing AAS use.

Identification of Perception Differences in Personality Factors and Autonomy by Sporting Age Category in Competitive Bodybuilders.

Knowing the personality and autonomy factors of bodybuilders is a necessity in order to improve sports training, which would lead to the development of mental skills specific to competitive bodybuilding. The purpose of the study was to identify perception differences in personality and autonomy factors for three age categories of competitive bodybuilders in order to optimize the sports training process. The secondary purpose of the study was to identify perception differences in the characteristics of personality and autonomy in relation to the increase in the sporting age category of the competitive bodybuilders. The research sample included 30 competitive bodybuilders aged between 18 and 53 years, of which 21 were male and 9 were female, who were divided into three groups according to the sporting age category: G1-junior (18-23 years old), 10 athletes (33.3%); G2-senior (24-35 years old for female and 24-40 years old for male), 12 athletes (40%); G3-masters (over 35 years old for female and 40 years old for male), 8 athletes (26.7%). In the precompetitive stage, three standardized questionnaires were applied to the study participants, namely, two personality questionnaires (CP5F and ZKPQ) and a personal autonomy questionnaire (PAQ), which provided us with useful information for understanding the psychological profile of bodybuilding athletes. The results of the study were statistically significant, with Cronbach's Alpha coefficient indicating high internal consistency of the three questionnaires for all three sporting age groups, with higher values than the selected reference threshold of 0.700. According to the results of our study, the following personality and autonomy factors recorded higher and higher scores in direct relation with the increase in sporting age: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, autonomy, impulsive sensation seeking, value autonomy, behavioral autonomy, and cognitive autonomy. The personality and autonomy factors of which the scores did not increase directly proportionally to the sporting age category were sociability, activity, aggression-hostility, neuroticism-anxiety, and emotional autonomy. Competitive bodybuilders perceive the factors of personality and autonomy differently in relation to particularities of age and sports experience, and knowledge of these changes can contribute to the improvement of the sports training process.

Self-Reported Training and Supplementation Practices Between Performance-Enhancing Drug-User Bodybuilders Compared with Natural Bodybuilders.

Li, J, Davies, TB, and Hackett, DA. Self-reported training and supplementation practices between performance-enhancing drug-user bodybuilders compared with natural bodybuilders. J Strength Cond Res 37(5): 1079-1088, 2023-This study aimed to examine whether the training and supplementation practices differ between performance-enhancing drug (PED)-using bodybuilders (BB) and natural BB. One hundred eighty-seven competitive male bodybuilders with a median age of 27.0 years completed an online survey. Of this sample, 40 respondents reported using PED (PED-user) and 147 respondents reported to be natural. Compared with natural BB, PED-user BB reported greater off-season body weight ( p < 0.001) and weight loss before a competition ( p < 0.001). In the off-season, PED-user BB performed a greater number of exercises per muscle group ( p < 0.001), number of repetition maximum (RM) per set ( p < 0.01), and less recovery between the sets ( p < 0.01). During the precompetition phase, the natural BB increased their number of RM; however, the PED-user BB still reported using a greater number of RM per set ( p = 0.02), exercises per muscle group ( p < 0.001), and less recovery time between the sets ( p < 0.01). Both the PED-user BB and natural BB reported greater aerobic exercise frequency ( p < 0.001) and session duration ( p < 0.001), although PED-user BB performed a greater number of aerobic exercise sessions ( p = 0.04) and at a higher intensity ( p < 0.01). Advanced training techniques, including negatives, partial repetitions, preexhaustion sets, and timed repetitions, were more popular among PED-user BB ( p < 0.05). Creatine monohydrate usage was more popular among natural BB ( p < 0.001), whereas branched-chain and essential amino acids were more popular among PED-user BB ( p ≤ 0.001). Findings suggest that PED-user BB perform more metabolically demanding resistance training sessions, more strenuous aerobic training during the precompetition phase, and may have different supplementation preferences compared with natural BB.

Front vs Back and Barbell vs Machine Overhead Press: An Electromyographic Analysis and Implications For Resistance Training.

Overhead press is commonly performed to reinforce the muscles surrounding the shoulders. However, many overhead press variations can be executed, thus varying the stimuli to each muscle. Therefore, the current study compared the muscles excitation during overhead press performed with the barbell passing in front or behind the head or using a shoulder press machine. Eight competitive bodybuilders performed in random order front (front-BMP) or back barbell military press (back-BMP), and front (front-MSP) with neutral handgrip or back machine shoulder press (back-MSP). Normalized surface electromyographic root mean square (RMS) of anterior, medial and posterior deltoid, upper trapezius, pectoralis major and triceps brachii was recorded during both the ascending and descending phases. During the ascending phase, anterior deltoid showed greater RMS in back-BMP than back-MSP [ES: 1.42, (95% confidence interval 0.32/2.51)]. Medial deltoid showed greater RMS in back-BMP than front-BMP [ES: 3.68 (2.07/5.29)], and back-MSP [ES: 7.51 (4.73/10.29)]. Posterior deltoid showed greater RMS in back-BMP than front-BMP [ES: 9.00 (5.73/12.27)]. Pectoralis major showed greater RMS in front-BMP than back-BMP [ES: 3.11 (1.65–4.56)] and in front-MSP than back-MSP [ES: 20.52 (13.34/27.70)]. During the descending phase, anterior deltoid was more excited in back-BMP compared to front-BMP [ES: 7.66 (4.83/10.49). Medial deltoid showed greater RMS in back-BMP than front-BMP [ES: 4.56 (2.70/6.42)]. Posterior deltoid showed greater RMS in back-BMP than front-BMP [ES: 8.65 (5.50/11.80)]. Pectoralis major showed greater RMS in front-BMP than back-BMP [ES: 4.20 (2.44/5.95)]. No between-exercise difference was observed for upper trapezius. Performing back overhead press enhances the excitation of medial and posterior and partly anterior deltoid, while front overhead favors pectoralis major. Overhead press performed using barbell excites muscles more than using machine to stabilize the trajectory of the external load. Different variations of overhead press appear to provide different stimuli to the shoulder muscles and may be used accordingly during the training routine.

An Electromyographic Analysis of Romanian, Step-Romanian, and Stiff-Leg Deadlift: Implication for Resistance Training.

The present study examined the posterior chain muscle excitation in different deadlift variations. Ten competitive bodybuilders (training seniority of 10.6 ± 1.8 years) performed the Romanian (RD), Romanian standing on a step (step-RD), and stiff-leg deadlift (SD) with an 80% 1-RM. The excitation of the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, erector spinae longissimus, and iliocostalis was assessed during both the ascending and descending phases. During the ascending phase, the RMS of the gluteus maximus was greater in the step-RD than in the RD (effect size (ES): 1.70, 0.55/2.84) and SD (ES: 1.18, 0.11/2.24). Moreover, a greater RMS was found in the SD than in the RD (ES: 0.99, 0.04/1.95). The RMS of the semitendinosus was greater in the step-RD than in the RD (ES: 0.82, 0.20/1.44) and SD (ES: 3.13, 1.67/4.59). Moreover, a greater RMS was found in the RD than in the SD (ES: 1.38, 0.29/2.48). The RMS of the longissimus was greater in the step-RD than in the RD (ES: 2.12, 0.89/3.34) and SD (ES: 3.28, 1.78/4.78). The descending phase had fewer differences between the exercises. No further differences between the exercises were found. The step-RD increased the overall excitation of the posterior chain muscles, possibly because of the greater range of movement and posterior muscle elongation during the anterior flexion. Moreover, the RD appeared to target the semitendinosus more than the SD, while the latter excited the gluteus maximus more.

Retracted] Athletes’ Ankle Injury Features and Rehabilitation Methods Based on Internet Big Data

With the development of science and technology and the improvement of living standards, people are paying more and more attention to sports and health. However, the foot joints are very important joints in the human body and are one of the most vulnerable parts in sports. Foot joint sprain is a common clinical disease in orthopedics, accounting for the first place of joint ligament sprain. If the treatment is not timely or appropriate, it often leaves pain and joint instability, followed by osteoarthritis. The rate of repeated injuries after the first injury is very high. Due to the rapid development of visual sensing technology, computer technology, and image processing technology, Internet big data has been widely used in food, medical treatment, construction, chemical industry, electronics, packaging, automobile, and other fields. This article mainly studies the characteristics and rehabilitation methods of athletes’ ankle injuries based on Internet big data. Based on Internet big data, this paper studies the function and structural stability of the foot joints and analyzes the causes of gymnast foot joint injuries. On this basis, this paper puts forward the treatment method of ankle joint injury. In this paper, 20 male competitive bodybuilders with ankle joint injury on one side were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The experimental group received proprioception recovery training, and the control group received normal functional recovery training. Experimental results show that the proprioception training of foot joint can improve the dynamic balance ability of gymnasts and effectively prevent the occurrence of foot joint injury. In this paper, the stability of the anterior and posterior foot joints was measured by comparing the control group with the experimental group. After 6 weeks of proprioception training, there was no significant difference between the static balance ability of one foot and the healthy part of the injured side foot joints (P &gt; 0.05).

799 Biventricular dysfunction and lung congestion in athletes on anabolic androgenic steroids: a speckle tracking and stress lung echocardiography analysis

Abstract Aims The real effects of the chronic consumption of anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS) on cardiovascular structures are subjects of intense debate. Aim of the study was to detect by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction at rest and during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in athletes abusing AAS. Methods and results 115 top-level competitive bodybuilders were selected (70 males), including 65 athletes misusing AAS for at least 5 years (users), 50 anabolic-free bodybuilders (non-users), compared to 50 age- and sex-matched healthy sedentary controls. Standard Doppler echocardiography, STE analysis, and lung ultrasound at rest and at peak supine-bicycle ESE were performed. Athletes showed increased LV mass index, wall thickness, and RV diameters compared with controls, whereas LV ejection fraction was comparable within the groups. LA volume index, LV and RV strain, and LV E/Em were significantly higher in AAS users. Users showed more B-lines during stress (median 4.4 vs. 1.25 in controls and 1.3 in non-users, P &amp;lt; 0.01 vs. users). By multivariable analyses, LV E/Ea (beta coefficient = 0.35, P &amp;lt; 0.01), PASP (beta = 0.43, P &amp;lt; 0.001) at peak effort, and number of weeks of AAS use per year (beta = 0.45, P &amp;lt; 0.001) emerged as the only independent determinants of resting RV lateral wall peak systolic two-dimensional strain. In addition, a close association between resting RV myocardial function and VO2 peak during ESE was evidenced (P &amp;lt; 0.001), with a powerful incremental value with respect to clinical and standard echocardiographic data. Conclusions STE represents a promising technique to assess RV myocardial function in athletes abusing steroids. AAS users showed a more impaired RV deformation, closely associated with reduced functional capacity during physical effort, and—during exercise—more pulmonary congestion.

Biventricular dysfunction and lung congestion in athletes on anabolic androgenic steroids: a speckle tracking and stress lung echocardiography analysis

The real effects of the chronic consumption of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) on cardiovascular structures are subjects of intense debate. The aim of the study was to detect by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction at rest and during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in athletes abusing AAS. One hundred and fifteen top-level competitive bodybuilders were selected (70 males), including 65 athletes misusing AAS for at least 5 years (users), 50 anabolic-free bodybuilders (non-users), compared to 50 age- and sex-matched healthy sedentary controls. Standard Doppler echocardiography, STE analysis, and lung ultrasound at rest and at peak supine-bicycle ESE were performed. Athletes showed increased LV mass index, wall thickness, and RV diameters compared with controls, whereas LV ejection fraction was comparable within the groups. left atrial volume index, LV and RV strain, and LV E/Em were significantly higher in AAS users. Users showed more B-lines during stress (median 4.4 vs. 1.25 in controls and 1.3 in non-users, P < 0.01 vs. users). By multivariable analyses, LV E/Ea (beta coefficient = 0.35, P < 0.01), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (beta = 0.43, P < 0.001) at peak effort and number of weeks of AAS use per year (beta = 0.45, P < 0.001) emerged as the only independent determinants of resting RV lateral wall peak systolic two-dimensional strain. In addition, a close association between resting RV myocardial function and VO2 peak during ESE was evidenced (P < 0.001), with a powerful incremental value with respect to clinical and standard echocardiographic data. In athletes abusing steroids, STE analysis showed an impaired RV systolic deformation, closely associated with reduced functional capacity during physical effort, and-during exercise-more pulmonary congestion.

A Case Report on Mephentermine Induced Psychosis with Acute Liver &amp; Kidney Injury

Background: Mephentermine is a sympathomimetic agent derived from methamphetamine. It is a commonly used drug for the treatment of hypotension during anaesthesia. Its abuse has markedly increased especially in the young population due to its stimulant properties and ability to boost performance in competitive sports or bodybuilding. Very few cases of Mephentermine dependence with or without psychosis have been reported from India and worldwide. Case Description: A 24-year-old male presented with a sudden onset of behavioural abnormalities a few hours following the use of Mephentermine. He was very agitated and restless. On physical examination, tachycardia, elevated BP and bilaterally dilated pupils were found. His symptoms remitted within a few hours of using Injection Haloperidol 10 mg with Lorazepam 4 mg once. He was found to have grossly deranged liver and kidney function tests. There was no past and family history of any psychiatric illness. No past history of any physical illness. Conclusion: No previous report of mephentermine induced psychosis with acute kidney and liver injury has been reported in the literature. Cases such as this may be common among the general public. Long term follow-up is required to know the course and outcome in such unusual cases.

Training, Supplementation, and Pharmacological Practices of Competitive Male Bodybuilders Across Training Phases.

Hackett, DA. Training, supplementation, and pharmacological practices of competitive male bodybuilders across training phases. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 963-970, 2022-Bodybuilding involves the pursuit of muscularity and leanness primarily through the use of progressive resistance training in combination with other practices such as manipulation of diet and use of ergogenic aids. This study aimed to compare the training practices and ergogenic aids used by competitive male bodybuilders across training phases. An online survey was completed by 235 competitive male bodybuilders with a median age of 26.0 (interquartile range 23.0-31.3) years. Results showed that most respondents performed split-routines (85.5%), 4-7 sessions per week (95.7%), trained major muscle groups twice a week (>50%), and session duration being 60-90 minutes (55.7%). Off-season resistance training sessions mostly comprised of targeting 2-3 muscle groups (56%), 2-3 exercises per muscle group (60.4%), 3-4 sets per exercise (73.2%), 7-12 repetition maximum (RM) per set (71.6%), and 61-180 seconds recovery between sets and exercises (80.5%). At the precompetition phase (6 weeks before competition), there was a decrease in the number of muscle groups trained per session (p = 0.027) and a greater number of repetitions performed per set (p < 0.001). A significant increase in the reported aerobic exercise volume was found during precompetition (<0.001). Performance enhancing drugs were used by 53.6% of respondents who did not compete in natural bodybuilding competitions. Dietary supplements were used by 95.7% of respondents with the most common being creatine monohydrate (80.4%) and whey protein (65.8%). Findings suggest that competitive bodybuilders follow resistance training practices consistent with the broad muscular hypertrophy recommendations but a notable shift in practices occur in the weeks before competition.

A case of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis induced by super-stimulation of na–k–atpase in a competitive bodybuilder with thyrotoxicosis factitia.

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HIP PAIN IN BRAZILIAN BODYBUILDERS.

ABSTRACTObjective:To determine the frequency of hip pain in competitive bodybuilders over three different bodybuilding competitions.Methods:This study evaluated bodybuilders recruited from three competitions during the year of 2016. All participants provided their informed consent and the study received IRB approval. Training routine, health condition, level of success on competitions, history of hip pain and physical examination of the hip were evaluated.Results:113 bodybuilders were evaluated, mean age was 30.5 ± 8.65 years and mean BMI was 25.2 ± 3.65 kg/m2. Mean values for hip flexion, adduction, abduction, internal rotation, external rotation and distance between the knee and the table (FABER distance) were 116 ± 13, 23 ± 8, 71 ± 12, 40 ± 10, 36 ± 9 and 19 ± 4, respectively. Eight (7%) participants presented hip pain within the week prior to examination and only 2 (1,7%) presented with anterior impingement sign. None of the athletes who reported hip pain interrupted their physical training or performance.Conclusion:Symptomatic athletes continued their training program under the presence of hip pain. The frequency of hip pain among bodybuilders is high and may be underestimated in this study. Level of Evidence IV, Case series.