[Anabolic steroids in athletes].

The use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AS) to enhance appearance as well as physical/physiological capacities has increased dramatically over the past four decades in all age groups from early adolescence to adulthood. Although higher AS use rates are reported by elite and competitive athletes, a significant number of recreational athletes appear to be using AS. The scientific literature is inconsistent and at times at odds with the conventional wisdom and empirical experiences of the athletic community regarding the ergogenic effects of AS. However, individuals experienced in weight training, with an adequate diet, and who continue training during AS administration seem to consistently increase their strength and lean mass over what would have been expected from training alone. Previous research documenting deleterious but transient and mostly asymptomatic acute changes in physiology, risk factors and behavior has been inconclusive regarding the long term health impact. The abuse of AS constitutes a special challenge to society. AS are not euphorigenic or mood altering immediately following administration, as are other illicit drugs; the appetite for AS has been created predominantly by our societal fixations on winning and physical appearance. Consequently any successful intervention in this area must go beyond education, law enforcement and drug testing, and attempt to change a social environment which currently encourages the use of AS.